Bolsward

Boalsert (which is listen to the Frisian name, Dutch Bolsward? / I ) is a town and comune of the province of Friesland (Netherlands). It has 9,974 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2010). Since January 1, 2011 Boalsert is part of the newly formed community Súdwest Fryslân.

History

Boalsert is built on a three-part terp. The oldest part dates from the beginning of the era and is located where the church of St. Martin ( Frisian: Martinytsjerke ) is. The Church of the Brethren ( Broeretsjerke ), which was destroyed by fire in 1980 and preserved in ruins, is the oldest building in the city, dating in part from the time the end of the 13th century. Also from the Middle Ages comes the image of Mary Us Leaffrou fan Sânwâlden, currently kept in the St.Francis (Sint - Fransiskustsjerke ) on Dijlakker.

Boalsert received in 1455 the city rights and belonged to the Hanseatic cities. The Town Hall, built in 1614-1617, is a symbol of the flourishing town in the 17th century. It was built in the style of the late Renaissance and enlarged in 1765. In the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century there was a lively butter and cheese trade, which helped the city to great prosperity. In the second half of the 18th century, however, the number of inhabitants decreased from 2,878 in 1748 to 2,500 back. The local textile industry suffered from foreign competition, the butter and cheese market weakened due to rampant in Friesland cattle plague.

Attractions

• Historic city center with canals
• Town hall
• St. Martin's Church ( Martinytsjerke )
• Church of the Brethren ( Broeretsjerke ), a medieval Franciscan cloister church, built in the late 13th century. 1980 partially destroyed by fire.
• Water tower on the west side of the city
• The distillery Sonnema Berenburg
• Frisian brewery

Events

• By Boalsert the range of Alvestêdetocht, the famous skating marathon race runs along the eleven Frisian cities.