STROLLING

BOLSWARD:

Bolsward is a smart city in Friesland, a province abounding in water. Because of this, there is more consideration for the water-tourists than for people coming by car; very little room for parking and just one invalid-parking in the centre, across from the beautiful town-hall in the picture. To get into the town-hall you have to climb a steep flight of stairs, so that is out of bounds.

With so much water around, to keep the inner man warm, Bolsward has a brewery “Us Heit” and a distillery Berenburg Sonnema Stokerij.

You can visit the Brewery, but for the Distillery you have to make an appointment.

In the centre you find the ruins of a 13th Century church, the Broerekerk, and in the Kerkstraat at number 51 an Orphanage, also only for groups by appointment. You can visit the small exhibition about the orphanage when you walk through the pleasant little park of the adjoining Hotel and pass under the gate in the left corner. Small, with a staircase to the second floor, but very nice exhibits.

Then there is the impressive church Martinikerk, build on a mound, but easily reached. Within the church a beautiful organ and a pulpit with wood-carvings.

Bierbrouwerij Us Heit, Snekerstraat 43; except on Wednesday and Sunday, tours from 15.00 hrs. and on Saturday from 10.00 hrs.

Martinikerk, Broereplein 1; open from Monday to Saturday from 10.00 – 12.00 and from 14.00 – 16.00 hrs.