Boksum

Boksum
Village
St Margaret's church
St Margaret's church
Location in Menameradiel municipality
Location in Menameradiel municipality
Boksum is located in Friesland
Boksum
Boksum
Location in the Netherlands
Boksum is located in Netherlands
Boksum
Boksum
Boksum (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°11′N 5°44′E / 53.183°N 5.733°E / 53.183; 5.733
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceFriesland
MunicipalityWaadhoeke
Area
[1]
 • Total
2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
0.7 m (2.3 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total
420
 • Density150/km2 (400/sq mi)
Postal code
9031[1]
Dialing code058

Boksum (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔksʏm]) 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.

  • 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.