Bolsward (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔlsʋɑrt] , 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.[3]

Bolsward
Boalsert
City and former municipality
City Hall
City Hall
Flag of Bolsward
Coat of arms of Bolsward
Bolsward is located in Friesland
Bolsward
Bolsward
Location in the Netherlands
Bolsward is located in Netherlands
Bolsward
Bolsward
Bolsward (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°04′N 5°32′E / 53.067°N 5.533°E / 53.067; 5.533
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceFriesland
MunicipalitySúdwest-Fryslân
Area
 • Total9.42 km2 (3.64 sq mi)
Elevation0.5 m (1.6 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total10,085
 • Density1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Postal code
8700-8702[1]
Dialing code0515

History

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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.[3] 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.[3] Before being merged into the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân, the town of Bolsward was an independent municipality.

Notable historical figures

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Notable historical figures born here include:

Events

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Heamiel. A local festival of four days in June. This is an old traditional festival to celebrate that the farmers finished getting 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 festival of four evenings with musical performances, held in August.

Elfstedentocht

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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 is somewhat rare.

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

Notable buildings

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 8701AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bolsward" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  4. ^ "Gysbert Japicxhûs". Gysbert Japicx.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 June 2020.
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