Burgum
Encyclopedia
Burgum is the largest and administrative town of the municipality
of Tytsjerksteradiel
, in the Dutch
province of Friesland
, with a population of 10083 inhabitants (December 1, 2009). Since January 1, 1989 the West Frisian
name Burgum is the official name, before 1989 the Dutch name was the official one.
The name Burgum is suggestive of an area of higher altitude than the surrounding area. The province of Friesland is bordered in the north by the Wadden Sea
. In ancient and medieval times, habitation in Friesland occurred only in those areas which were elevated above sea level (for example in Burgum) or on artificially built mounds known as terp, weird or ward. These mounds were areas of refuge in times of flooding. The artificial mounds became redundant after the building of the dykes on the border of the Wadden Sea. Habitation of this area goes back to the Stone Age.
Main things to see in Burgum are the Town Hall (from the front a very appealing building, deformed by recent additions at the back) and the Krústsjerke
(Cross Church) which is the remainder of a convent burned in the Eighty Years' War.
Friesland is renowned for its many lakes and canals. One of these lakes is found nearby the village of Burgum and it is called the Burgumer Mar
. Another object of interest is the so called Poppestien. A large stone deposited in this area during the last ice age (11.000 BC). In ancient times this stone was used in fertility rituals.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
of Tytsjerksteradiel
Tytsjerksteradiel
Tytsjerksteradiel is a municipality in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. It is named after the town of Tytsjerk, whose name is derived from a person named Tiete. Tiete was a daughter of Tryn, after whom the region is named...
, in the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
province of Friesland
Friesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
, with a population of 10083 inhabitants (December 1, 2009). Since January 1, 1989 the West Frisian
West Frisian language
West Frisian is a language spoken mostly in the province of Friesland in the north of the Netherlands. West Frisian is the name by which this language is usually known outside the Netherlands, to distinguish it from the closely related Frisian languages of Saterland Frisian and North Frisian,...
name Burgum is the official name, before 1989 the Dutch name was the official one.
The name Burgum is suggestive of an area of higher altitude than the surrounding area. The province of Friesland is bordered in the north by the Wadden Sea
Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea 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 Frisian Islands, forming a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It is rich in biological diversity...
. In ancient and medieval times, habitation in Friesland occurred only in those areas which were elevated above sea level (for example in Burgum) or on artificially built mounds known as terp, weird or ward. These mounds were areas of refuge in times of flooding. The artificial mounds became redundant after the building of the dykes on the border of the Wadden Sea. Habitation of this area goes back to the Stone Age.
Main things to see in Burgum are the Town Hall (from the front a very appealing building, deformed by recent additions at the back) and the Krústsjerke
Protestant church of Burgum
The Protestant church of Burgum or Cross Church or Saint Martin’s church is a religious building in Burgum, Netherlands, one of the medieval churches in Friesland....
(Cross Church) which is the remainder of a convent burned in the Eighty Years' War.
Friesland is renowned for its many lakes and canals. One of these lakes is found nearby the village of Burgum and it is called the Burgumer Mar
Burgumer Mar
The Burgumer Mar is a lake near the town of Burgum in the Dutch province of Friesland. The lake was formed during the last ice age. It is a popular water sports area with multiple yacht harbours...
. Another object of interest is the so called Poppestien. A large stone deposited in this area during the last ice age (11.000 BC). In ancient times this stone was used in fertility rituals.
Notable buildings
- Protestant church of BurgumProtestant church of BurgumThe Protestant church of Burgum or Cross Church or Saint Martin’s church is a religious building in Burgum, Netherlands, one of the medieval churches in Friesland....
- The Municipality center of Tytsjerksteradiel
Notable people associated with Burgum
- Hendrik Bulthuis - Amateur boat builder and designer of the Bergumermeer-class sailing-boat (“B.M.-er”).
- Tsjibbe Gearts van der MeulenTsjibbe Gearts van der MeulenTsjibbe Gearts van der Meulen was a West Frisian-language writer and poet from the town of Burgum in the Dutch province of Friesland. He was also a clock-maker, book seller, printer and publisher....
- Frisian writer and poet - Rombertus van UylenburghRombertus van UylenburghRombertus van Uylenburgh or Rombout van Uylenborgh is best known as the father of Saskia van Uylenburgh, the wife of Rembrandt. Rombertus was one of the founders of the University of Franeker in 1585...
- One of the founders of the University of FranekerUniversity of FranekerThe University of Franeker was a university in Franeker, Friesland, presently part of the Netherlands. It was the second oldest university of the Netherlands, founded shortly after Leiden University....