Dijkreis, a Podwalk App That Brings a Centuries-Old Sea Dike to Life
To celebrate Amsterdam's 750th anniversary, we created Dijkreis, an interactive audio adventure that lets players explore the centuries-old Waterlandse Zeedijk — one of the city's most historic but overlooked landmarks.
Bringing forgotten history to life
With over 40 immersive stories, Dijkreis reveals the hidden past of this remarkable dike. Discover the booming 17th-century whaling industry, the impact of the Titanic disaster on local shipbuilding, and the astonishing tale of rhinoceros Clara — all at the exact locations where history unfolded.
A digital treasure hunt powered by location technology
Players unlock stories only when they physically reach the corresponding GPS location. This innovative use of geolocation transforms the dike into a living museum, making history tangible and interactive. Dijkreis is a fully in-house designed and developed web app that runs directly in smartphone browsers — no downloads required. This ensures a seamless, accessible, and engaging experience for all ages, especially children.
Engaging the local community through storytelling
To connect residents with their shared history, we launched a poster campaign along the 11-kilometre dike. Locals were invited to display posters in their windows, turning their neighbourhood into a participatory, virtual exhibition. Beyond storytelling, Dijkreis reinforces the historical significance of the dike, ensuring its legacy remains visible and valued within Amsterdam’s cultural heritage.
