Escape Tour Urk
Discover the city's secret exit!
Start whenever you want
Play on your own smartphone
Discover Urk in a different way
Come explore some hidden gems at
and let yourself be surprised.
Escape within 2 hours
Get on the wall of fame at
or take it easy.
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The Story of Urk
Starting location: Ijsselmeer Fish Market
In 1877, Johannes Fredericus van Hengel arrives at the port of Urk. Hidden beneath his coat is a mission that no one must know about: to steal three skulls from the cemetery. He works for Professor Pieter Harting of Utrecht University, who is researching the origins of the people of Urk. According to Harting, the shape of their skulls can reveal something about their ancestry and centuries of isolation on the island.
Van Hengel must swap the skulls without anyone noticing. But that’s easier said than done. Urk is a sleepy town, and a strange footstep, an open grave, or a single wrong glance could be enough to throw the whole village into an uproar. If his plan is discovered, his life is in danger. His only chance is the secret exit his boss whispered about. Only, he doesn’t know where it is...
Escape the city
During the Escape Tour , you’ll follow in the footsteps of Johannes Fredericus van Hengel. With your smartphone in hand, you’ll wander through the village, solve puzzles, and follow cryptic clues. Can you find the secret exit within 2 hours? If so, you’ll have a chance to earn a spot on our Wall of Fame! The quest begins at the Ijsselmeer Fish Market—good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
The story of Urk begins with Johannes Fredericus van Hengel. Van Hengel must retrieve three skulls from Urk without being seen. As you follow the route, you’ll discover, step by step, which path leads to the exit.
You play on your own, but the mission feels anything but casual. In Urk, every code, question, and clue revolves around Van Hengel's escape.
Yes, the Escape Tour a great activity for a city trip, a day out, or a group outing. You’ll explore Urk together and discover the town through riddles, clues, and the story of Van Hengel.
You don't just discover Urk with your eyes—you also discover it by solving puzzles. The story surrounding Van Hengel turns the town into a playground full of little secrets.
Eventually, you'll be searching for Urk's secret exit. But it won't be easy to find. You'll have to follow Van Hengel's story, solve riddles, and make the right connections along the way.