Holwert is a village in Noardeast-Fryslân municipality in the northern

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

, in the province of

Friesland Friesland ( ; ; official ), historically and traditionally known as Frisia (), named after the Frisians, is a Provinces of the Netherlands, province of the Netherlands located in the country's northern part. It is situated west of Groningen (p ...

. It had a population of around 1,607 in January 2017. Before 2019, the village was part of the Dongeradeel municipality. The ferry to the island of

Ameland Ameland (; ) is a municipality and one of the West Frisian Islands off the north coast of the Netherlands. It consists mostly of sand dunes and is the third major island of the West Frisians. It neighbours islands Terschelling to the west a ...

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 A ''terp'', also known as a ''wierde, woerd, warf, warft, werf, werve, wurt'' or ''værft'', is an artificial dwelling mound found on the North European Plain that has been created to provide safe ground during storm surges, high tides and ...

''". Holwert developed as a ''terp'' (artificial living mound) village several centuries

before Christ The terms (AD) and before Christ (BC) are used when designating years in the Gregorian calendar, Gregorian and Julian calendar, Julian calendars. The term is Medieval Latin and means "in the year of the Lord" but is often presented using "o ...

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 The Wadden Sea ( ; ; or ; ; ; ) is an intertidal zone in the southeastern part of the North Sea. It lies between the coast of northwestern continental Europe and the range of low-lying Frisian Islands, forming a shallow body of water with tida ...

coast, however Holwert remained outside the dike until 1580. 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. In 1840, Holwert was home to 1,741 people. In 1872, a dam was privately constructed from Holwert to the island of

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. A part of the dam still exists. The ferry to Ameland leaves on the end of the remaining dam. Holwert is one of the starting points for ''wadlopen'' ( mudflat hiking). At low tide, it is possible to walk to the island of

. Mudflat hiking is potentially dangerous, and is only allowed under the supervision of a licensed guide. The village's official name was changed from Holwerd to Holwert in 2023.

Transportation

Holwert had a station on the North Friesland Railway, which opened in 1901 and closed to passengers in 1940. The ferry to

departs from Holwert on the end of the dam.

Notable people

* Hans Willem van Aylva ( 1633–1691, admiral * Theo Hiddema (born 1944), lawyer and politician * Johannes Phocylides Holwarda (1618–1651), astronomer, physician, and philosopher * Albertina Soepboer (born 1969), writer

Gallery

Image:Kwelder.jpg, Wadlopen Image:MS Monnik.jpg, Ferry File:De Hoop molen Holwerd 01.jpg, ''De Hoop'' File:Holwert, Hegebuorren.jpg, Street view

References

External links