The octagonal Van Harenskerk, the Rembrandt memorial and Doortraproute Het Bildt offer different ways to explore Sint Annaparochie. You can focus on the town’s history, plan around the annual market or cycle along the Oude Bildtdijk towards Westhoek. These details can help you weigh up your interests for your stay without combining the different activities into a single excursion.
Van Harenskerk and the Rembrandt memorial
The Van Harenskerk is octagonal and has a rich history and interior. The story of Rembrandt van Rijn and Saskia van Uylenburgh is also connected with Sint Annaparochie. An information board at the monument records that the couple married in the church of St. Annaparochie on 22 June 1634. Elements connected with this story can still be found in the Van Harenskerk.
The monument at Van Harenstraat/Stadhoudersweg shows Rembrandt with a palette in front of his easel, painting his seated wife. Together with the information board, it offers a tangible way to explore the local Rembrandt story: the board records the wedding, while the monument depicts the painter at work. You can view historical accounts and artistic depictions as distinct aspects of the town’s history.
As part of Tsjerkepaad 2026, the Van Harenskerk is open daily without staff from June to 29 August, from 1 pm to 5 pm; check the 2026 dates before your trip. If you plan to visit in another year, check the dates for the relevant Tsjerkepaad year.
Bildtse Rembrandtmarkt in August
The Bildtse Rembrandtmarkt is held every year on the first Saturday in August around the Van Harenskerk in the centre of Sint Annaparochie. As the exact event date varies from year to year, check the date for the year of your trip. The market is a separate attraction from a visit to the church: dozens of exhibitors around it offer antiques, curiosities, art and books.
Visitors can have items valued in a large tent; atmospheric music is also part of the event. The market stalls and valuation service appeal to different interests: you can browse for art and books or bring your own items to have their value assessed.
Land reclamation and Bildts
Sint Annaparochie came into being when the Bildt was reclaimed in 1505. Bildts is the local regional language. It came to the area in the 16th century with workers from North and South Holland and mixed with Frisian. This story brings together two distinct developments: the creation of the town through land reclamation and the emergence of a regional language through migration and language contact. As you explore Sint Annaparochie, information boards can explain notable places in the town; the streets and boards offer further points of interest for exploring on foot.
On foot or along the Doortraproute
The Doortraproute Het Bildt starts at Sportpark De Waaie, Statenweg 2, in Sint Annaparochie, where parking is available. The route is suitable for tricycles and follows wide cycle paths with as many safe crossings as possible. From Sint Annaparochie, it leads to Westhoek via the characteristic Oude Bildtdijk. At the end, you can enjoy a view of the Wadden Sea at Zwarte Haan.
So, alongside exploring the streets and information boards, there is a specific cycling route to choose from. On foot, you can focus on notable places in the town; the Doortraproute follows the Oude Bildtdijk towards Westhoek and on to a view of the Wadden Sea. When planning your trip around these activities, you can decide whether the town’s history, the market date or the ride along the route will be your main focus.
Discover more destinations: Vrouwenparochie, Sint Jacobiparochie, Oude Bildtzijl.
Back to the main travel overview: Het Bildt.
