The Dutch have worn wooden shoes - or klompen as they’re known in the Netherlands -since the 13th century. Just don’t come to Holland expecting to see locals going about their day wearing the traditional Dutch clogs. While they’re a common footwear choice for farmers, the closest a modern-day city dweller will come to wooden shoes is in a souvenir shop.Just like windmills and tulips, wooden shoes are a commonly recognized symbol of the Netherlands. In fact, wooden shoes have been worn throughout the ages all over Europe. It’s in Holland, however, that the humble clog has found its fame. It wasn’t until the 16th century that wooden shoes gained momentum as a form of footwear in the Netherlands. Crafted from a single piece of wood, they were practical and affordable. Naturally water resistant, they protected feet from the wet Dutch climate, and enabled their wearer to move across sodden ground with ease. Clogs continued to be worn by agricultural workers well into the 20th century, as their sturdiness guarded against injury.