A church tower dating from shortly after 1100, a former sea dike and a war memorial on a war grave give Weidum a distinctive cultural and historical character. The village is officially designated as a protected village view. Visitors who want to focus on village history and the Kaatsen tradition during their stay will find several specific themes here: from the history of the village centre and memorial sites to events and seasonal offerings.
Village Views, the Church and Landscape History
The historic village centre lies west of the Hegedyk. This former sea dike protected people from the waters of the Middelzee. Weidum’s history therefore encompasses not only its buildings but also the dike’s former role in managing the water. The slender tower of the Johanneskerk Weidum dates from shortly after 1100, providing another point of reference for the village’s history.
At the edge of Weidum’s levelled terp stands the AMERIKAANSE WINDMOTOR, a local landmark. It was built in the early 1930s to drain the lower-lying pastureland in the village centre that had been created by levelling the terp. Its history links a striking structure with a specific alteration to the landscape: the windmill’s purpose was to drain the lower-lying pastureland.
A War Memorial and Its History
The war memorial to mr. S.M. van Haersma Buma is a two-metre-high square pillar topped with a carved flame. It stands on a war grave. The memorial commemorates van Haersma Buma, who died at Neuengamme concentration camp on 11 December 1942. Its form, location and dedication are linked: the memorial is both a specific place of remembrance and a reminder of the fate of a named individual.
Kaatsen and Events
The Froulju’s PC is the annual highlight of the women’s Kaatsen calendar in Weidum and takes place in August. The Froulju’s PC was founded four years after the official introduction of the women’s category in Kaatsen in 1974. The 49th Frouljus PC was also held in Weidum. The Kaatsveld Weidum of KV Nije Kriich hosts, among other events, the Bangma Partij and the women’s PC. Nije Kriich also organises various Kaatsen matches for its members, the association and the KNKB.
Seasonal Offerings and a Break in the Village
Behind the church, PluktĂşn Weidum offers organically grown flowers for visitors to pick themselves. Garden shears are provided; flowers may be picked when they are in bloom. The offering is seasonal, so check before your visit whether picking is currently available.
WeidumerHout welcomes guests for dinner, lunch, coffee or drinks, including those travelling on foot or by bicycle. WeidumerHout also aims to offer affordable meals featuring local and seasonal products from the surrounding area. Check before visiting whether food service is currently available.
Kaatsen and flower picking have very different seasons, which may affect when you choose to travel: the annual Kaatsen highlight takes place in August, while self-picking is seasonal. If either of these activities is a key part of your stay, check the latest event dates or whether picking is available before booking your accommodation.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Wommels, Easterein, Reahus, Easterlittens, Kûbaard, Mantgum, Bozum.
For the regional travel overview: Littenseradiel.
