Boksum

Village in Friesland, Netherlands
53°11′N 5°44′E / 53.183°N 5.733°E / 53.183; 5.733CountryNetherlandsProvinceFrieslandMunicipalityWaadhoekeArea • Total2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi)Elevation0.7 m (2.3 ft)Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total420 • Density150/km2 (400/sq mi)Postal code
9031[1]
Dialing code058

Boksum (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔk.sʏm]) is a village in Waadhoeke municipality in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 400 people in 2020[3] Before 2018, the village was part of the Menameradiel municipality.[4]

Overview

The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Boxum, meaning "settlement of Bokke or Bokse".[5] Boksum was a terp (artificial living hill) village with a radial structure which dates from before Christ. It was built close to the Middelzee.[6] The Dutch Reformed church has elements from the 12th century, and has been enlarged several times.[6] The tower collapsed in 1842 and was rebuilt in 1843 using the stones of the previous tower.[6][7]

On 17 January 1586, the last battle of the Dutch Revolt in Friesland was fought near Boksum. The Spanish won the battle, and an estimated 1,000 Dutch soldiers died; however, the ice had started to melt and an easy passage to the capital Leeuwarden over the ice was no longer an option.[7][4]

Boksum was home to 237 people in 1840.[4] The terp was partially excavated in 1869.[7]

Modern Boksum has a bakery, a community center and two churches. The oldest of the two churches is still used as a church belonging to the Dutch Reformed Church. The elementary school was used to teach three languages: Dutch, West Frisian and English, but closed in 2019 due a lack of students. The remainder of the school was incorporated into the elementary school in Deinum, an adjacent village.

Gallery

  • Farm in Boksum
    Farm in Boksum
  • View of Boksum
    View of Boksum

References

  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 9031XD". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  3. ^ Aantal inwoners per dorp - Menameradiel
  4. ^ a b c "Boksum". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Boksum - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Ronald Stenvert & Sabine Broekhoven (2000). "Boksum" (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9476 4. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Boksum". Friesland Wonderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 April 2022.

External links

  • Website about Boksum