Holwert

Holwert is a village in Noardeast-Fryslân municipality in the northern Netherlands, in the province of Friesland. It had a population of around 1,607 in January 2017.[3] Before 2019, the village was part of the Dongeradeel municipality.[4]

Holwert
Village
St Willibrord church
St Willibrord church
Coat of arms of Holwert
Coat of arms
Location in the former Dongeradeel municipality
Location in the former Dongeradeel municipality
Holwert is located in Friesland
Holwert
Holwert
Location in the Netherlands
Holwert is located in Netherlands
Holwert
Holwert
Holwert (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°22′N 5°54′E
CountryNetherlands Netherlands
ProvinceFriesland Friesland
MunicipalityNoardeast-Fryslân
Area
[1]
 • Total18.42 km2 (7.11 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
0.7 m (2.3 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total1,595
 • Density87/km2 (220/sq mi)
Postal code
9151[1]
Dialing code0519

The ferry to the island of Ameland departs from Holwert. Wadloopcentrum Fryslân in Holwert is a centre for the training of wadlopen guides and the preservation of the sport. There are two windmills in Holwert, De Hoop and Miedenmolen.

History

The village was first mentioned in early-11th century as Holeuurt, and means "hollow terp".[5] Holwert developed as a terp (artificial living mound) village several centuries before Christ in a radial shape. The original terp was designated for the church, and in the 8th or 9th century, a long stretched out terp was created for trade and residential houses. In the 11th or 12th century, a dike was built along the Wadden Sea coast, however Holwert remained outside the dike until 1580.[6]

The tower of the Dutch Reformed church dates from the 13th century. The spire has probably been added in 1661. In 1776, the old church was demolished, and an L-shaped church was built in its place.[6] In 1840, Holwert was home to 1,741 people.[4]

In 1872, a dam was privately constructed from Holwert to the island of Ameland across the Wadden Sea, and on 9 June, it was possible to walk to Ameland. The dam required a lot of maintenance. In October 1881, a storm created a hole in the dike, and two more holes were created in April 1882. In 1888, an investment of ƒ 1.2 million was needed to strengthen and repair the dam, and a loan was asked from the government, however the Dutch parliament voted against the proposal.[7] A part of the dam still exists. The ferry to Ameland leaves on the end of the remaining dam.[8]

Holwert is one of the starting points for wadlopen (mudflat hiking). At low tide, it is possible to walk to the island of Ameland.[9] Mudflat hiking is potentially dangerous, and is only allowed under the supervision of a licensed guide.[10]

The village's official name was changed from Holwerd to Holwert in 2023.[11][12]

Transportation

Holwert had a station on the North Friesland Railway, which opened in 1901 and closed to passengers in 1940.[13] The ferry to Ameland departs from Holwert on the end of the dam.[8]

Notable people

References
  1. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 31 March 2022. two entries
  2. "Postcodetool for 9151AB". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  3. Aantal inwoners per woonplaats in Dongeradeel op 1 januari 2017 Archived 2017-10-21 at the Wayback Machine - Dongeradeel
  4. "Holwerd". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. "Holwerd - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  6. Ronald Stenvert & Sabine Broekhoven (2000). "Holwerd" (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9476 4. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  7. "Dam naar Ameland". Amelander Historie (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  8. "Holwerd-Ameland". Veerboot Info (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  9. "Ameland". Wadlopen (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  10. "Verordening van 13 december 1995, houdende regels met betrekking tot het wadlopen (Wadloopverordening 1996)" [1996 law for mudflat hiking] (PDF). Waddenzee (in Dutch). 13 December 1995. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  11. "22 dorpen in Noardeast-Fryslân krijgen op 1 januari 2023 een nieuwe Friese naam" [22 villages in Noardeast-Fryslân will receive a new Frisian name on 1 January 2023]. RTV NOF (in Dutch). 10 December 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. "Friese namen" [Frisian names]. Taalunie (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  13. "station Holwerd". Stationweb (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  14. "Nieuw Nederlandsch Biografisch Woordenboek". Huygens Institute (in Dutch). pp. 201–202. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  15. "Mr. Th.U. (Theo) Hiddema". Dutch Parliament (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  16. "Van der Aa". Huygens Institute (in Dutch). p. 1023. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  17. "Albertina Soepboer". Digital Library for Dutch Literature (in Dutch). Retrieved 31 March 2022.

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