Dokkum

Dokkum
Town

Flag
Coat of arms
Country Netherlands Netherlands
Province Friesland Friesland
Population
 • Total c. 12,500
Topographic map of Dokkum, June 2014

Dokkum is a Dutch fortified town in the municipality of Dongeradeel in the province of Friesland. It has 12,635 inhabitants (January 1, 2013). The fortifications of Dokkum are well preserved and are known as the bolwerken ( = bulwarks).

 Stadhuis , the town hall

History

The best known event in Dokkum's history is the assassination of the Anglo-Saxon missionary Saint Boniface in 754. Oliver of Cologne preached the Fifth Crusade in Dokkum in 1214 and Dokkum sent a contingent; the crescent in the coat of arms of Dokkum refers to this event. Dokkum acquired city rights in 1298. In 1572 Dokkum was sacked by the Spaniards after it had joined the Dutch Revolt. In 1597, the Admiralty of Friesland was established in Dokkum. However, it was moved to Harlingen in 1645.

Transport

Dokkum had a station (Dokkum-Aalsum) on the North Friesland Railway, which opened in 1901. It became the terminus for passenger services in May 1935 and closed to passengers in July 1936. The station reopened to passengers in May 1940 and closed to passengers in July 1942. Freight services ceased in 1975.

Sport

In the 200 km skating marathon known as the Elfstedentocht, Dokkum is known as the keerpunt (turning-point in Dutch), because it is where the speedskaters turn and head back to Leeuwarden.

Windmills

In 1652, Dokkum had five windmills, these were all post mills.[1]

Zeldenrust
De Hoop

Dokkum has two windmills, cap mills, that are preserved and both of them are open to the public by appointment.[2][3] They are named Zeldenrust and De Hoop. A third mill, De Marmeerin stands by the Woudvaart outside the town.[4]

Gallery

People from Dokkum

Dokkum was the residence for much of her career of the pioneering midwife Catharina Geertruida Schrader (1656–1746). Other famous Dokkumers include:

Coordinates: 53°20′N 6°00′E / 53.333°N 6.000°E

References

  1. ↑ Tonneel der Steden; Blaeu, 1652
  2. ↑ "Dokkum, Friesland" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Molendatabase. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  3. ↑ "Dokkum, Friesland" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Molendatabase. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  4. ↑ "Dokkum, Friesland" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Molendatabase. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
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