Bolsward

Bolsward
Boalsert
City and former municipality
City Hall
City Hall
Flag of Bolsward
Flag		Coat of arms of Bolsward
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 53°04′N 5°32′E / 53.067°N 5.533°E / 53.067; 5.533
Country Netherlands Netherlands
Province Friesland Friesland
Municipality Súdwest-Fryslân Súdwest-Fryslân
Area(2006)
 • Total 9.42 km2 (3.64 sq mi)
 • Land 9.11 km2 (3.52 sq mi)
 • Water 0.31 km2 (0.12 sq mi)
Population (1 January 2007)
 • Total 10,185
 • Density 1,055/km2 (2,730/sq mi)
  Source: CBS, CBS Statline.
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 8700-02
Telephone area 0515

Bolsward (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔɫsʋɑrt] ( listen), West Frisian: Boalsert) is a city in Súdwest-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. Bolsward has a population of just under 10,200. It is located 10 km W.N.W. of Sneek.[1]

History

The town is founded on three artificial dwelling mounds, the first of which was built some time before Christ. During the Middle Ages, Bolsward was a trade center and port city connected to the North Sea via the Middle Sea. This connection was lost when the Middle Sea was reclaimed to form arable land. After this a canal was dug to the Zuiderzee.[1] The town is first mentioned in AD 725.

As a trading city, Bolsward was granted city rights by Philip the Good in 1455. Bolsward was made a member of the Hanseatic league in 1422.[1] Before being merged into the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, the town of Bolsward was an independent municipality.

Notable historical figures

Notable historical figures born here include:

Events

Heamiel. A local festival of four days in June. This is an old traditional festival to celebrate that the farmers have harvested the hay from the fields. The name of the festival, Heamiel, is frisian for 'Hay meal', and is derived from the traditional banquet.

Bolletongersdei. Bolletongersdei is frisian for 'bulls Thursday'. Bolletongersdei includes a street market. Bolletongersdei is held on the first Thursday of October.

Simmerwike. A music festival of 4 evenings with performances, held in August.

Elfstedentocht

Bolsward is one of the eleven Frisian cities in which the ice skating Elfstedentocht, an ice skating marathon, is held. Because the marathon depends on the thickness of the ice, it is not held on a regular schedule and can be somewhat rare.

Bolsward is also the host city for the yearly Cycling Elfstedentocht, a road bicycle racing tour.

Notable buildings


Coordinates: 53°04′N 5°32′E / 53.067°N 5.533°E / 53.067; 5.533

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wikisource Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bolsward". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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