From Wouterswoude, you wend your way through the village of Damwoude, which is really more like a town, and then continue on to Rinsumageest. Claercamp monastery, once one of the most powerful monasteries in Friesland, stood near here. The surrounding landscape was shaped by the monks who dug canals and reclaimed the land.
The monks named one of the polders Bethlehem after a monastery farm that used to exist here. The name attached itself to the nearby hamlet and over time was corrupted to Bartlehiem. The Elfstedentocht skaters were very familiar with Bartlehiem: they passed through the hamlet twice, both times cheered on loudly by spectators. The Elfstedenpad hiking trail follows a slightly different route,
taking you around Eeltsjema…
From Wouterswoude, you wend your way through the village of Damwoude, which is really more like a town, and then continue on to Rinsumageest. Claercamp monastery, once one of the most powerful monasteries in Friesland, stood near here. The surrounding landscape was shaped by the monks who dug canals and reclaimed the land.
The monks named one of the polders Bethlehem after a monastery farm that used to exist here. The name attached itself to the nearby hamlet and over time was corrupted to Bartlehiem. The Elfstedentocht skaters were very familiar with Bartlehiem: they passed through the hamlet twice, both times cheered on loudly by spectators. The Elfstedenpad hiking trail follows a slightly different route,
taking you around Eeltsjemar lake to the area inhabited by the Frisian nobility. The villages of Oudkerk and Oenkerk have more than their share of historical country houses. Some of these have since disappeared but others are still intact and now serve as hotels. This is your chance to wander through the beautifully landscaped gardens of the De Klinze and Stania State country houses and estates.
De Sint-Benedictuskerk werd eind 12e eeuw gebouwd en in de 13e eeuw werd de toren toegevoegd. De kerk beschikt over vier bijzondere beschilderde schilden uit 1599, een vrijwel gaaf bewaard Hinsz-orgel en mooi gerestaureerde rouwborden.
Eeltsjemar Lake is a leisure area near the village of Rinsumageast.
De Klinze is a country house and estate where you can choose a new bed, enjoy a night away and stroll through a magnificent park. You can also discover the history of the estate through its art and decor!
Stania State is a country house and estate nestled in the woodland between Oentsjerk and Aldtsjerk in Friesland. This unique property is within cycling distance of Leeuwarden and Dokkum (about 10 km).
