Anjum’s origins date back to people who raised a mound on a salt marsh ridge to escape the effects of tides and storm surges. The mound, the Michaëlkerk and the mill represent different aspects of the village’s building and settlement history.

Mound village and architectural history

The Michaëlkerk preserves parts of the north wall and west side of a tuff-stone church built around 1100. Its surviving features include an integral tower in the form of a so-called reduced westwork. Another mound in Anjum dates from the 5th to 7th centuries and is partly protected. The historical picture therefore encompasses both an early mound and the much more recent church dating from around 1100.

In the historic mound village, you can experience the mound’s circular, radial layout behind the church, in the closely built-up streets of Tsjerkepaed and Foarstrjitte, and along the side paths. The imposing Ny Holdinga farmstead is another historic feature of the village. It stands on land almost entirely surrounded by ditches, which once belonged to Holdingastate, the most important estate in Anjum.

De Eendragt and the mill museum

De Eendragt was rebuilt in 1889 as an octagonal corn and barley-peeling mill, using parts from two disassembled mills from Leeuwarden. The year therefore marks its reconstruction using existing mill parts. The exhibition room at De Eendragt houses the Anjum Mill Museum. Here, the mill’s architectural history and its use as an exhibition space come together, while its former function as a corn and barley-peeling mill remains in view.

Nature area and observation tower

The Eanjumerkolken nature area covers 141 hectares near Eanjum. Its two cultural and historical features are duck decoys and scattered drinking pools. The area is not freely accessible, but can be viewed from the surrounding roads; excursions are also possible. Their dates may vary. So if you are planning an excursion, check the relevant dates.

Near Eanjum, the De Zoutkegel observation tower stands between Eanjum and Ie, on the Súd Ie waterway by the Eanjumer Kolken nature area. The tower is freely accessible to walkers, cyclists and water sports enthusiasts. As access arrangements may change, check the latest access information before visiting.

Plan a walk and water route

For Route 2 of the Bonifatius Monastery Trail, the section between waypoints 95 and 80 is inaccessible during the breeding season, from 15 March to 15 July. Check the latest route information before setting out. The Súd Ie SUP and canoe route is 12 kilometres long one way. The planning considerations therefore differ: on the Monastery Trail, the seasonal restriction on the specified section is important; on the water route, it is the one-way distance.

Discover more destinations: Moddergat, Wierum, Paesens, Niawier, Engwierum, Ee, Waaxens Gem Dongeradeel, Nes Gem Dongeradeel

For the overview of the wider area: Dongeradeel.