Oostermeer lies between Bergumermeer to the north and De Leijen to the south. It is a historic harbour village in the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden National Landscape. The village’s history can be seen in its buildings, streets and memorial sites. There are also routes with different focuses, as well as opportunities for wildlife watching, where the time of year plays an important role.
Village history and buildings
The village’s development into a peat-cutting village is also part of its history: after the peat bogs southwest of Eastermar had been worked, Eastermar developed into a peat-cutting village in the 17th century. E.M. Beimastraat has the largest concentration of the village’s listed and distinctive buildings. The street therefore provides a specific point of reference for its historic building stock.
The Dutch Reformed hall church at Torenlaan 14 in Eastermar was built in 1868 and is of general cultural and architectural-historical significance. Its clock mechanism dates from 1924 and was made by the Van Bergen brothers of Midwolda. The church’s construction date and the date of the clock mechanism therefore mark two different stages in its building history.
Another link to cultural history is the Dam Jaarsma Hûs, a 19th-century house in Eastermar. It is named after Dam Jaarsma, a Frisian-language writer, poet and collector of Frisian folk tales. He collected almost 16,000 tales and legends.
A memorial at the cemetery near Hoogzand, bearing the names of those involved and inscriptions in Polish and Dutch, commemorates an event and their contribution to freedom.
Routes with different focuses
Choose a route based on its clearly distinct features: the seventh stage of the Bonifatius Kloosterpad reaches Eastermar and is classified as a nature, leisure and pilgrimage route. The Streekpad Noardlike Fryske Wâlden continues via Eastermar to De Leijen, a shallow lake formed by peat extraction. The “Historie en natuur in Eastermar” route offers views over Burgumer Mar.
Wildlife watching by season
At the De Leijen – Malewei viewpoint, large groups of ducks can be observed in winter, including wigeons and teals; goldeneyes can also be seen there. In recent years, a great grey shrike has been spotted at the viewpoint in winter. In spring and summer, marsh harriers can be seen hunting there.
The Dykswâlen are also important for wildlife: they provide shelter for roe deer, foxes, stone martens, polecats, stoats, weasels and various species of mice.
Harbour and activities on the water
Eastermar has a harbour in the village. You can rent a SUP board from Gerbrich's SUP verhuur; SUP tours are possible on De Lits, De Leyen and Burgumer Mar. From Eastermar, you can set off on De Leyen or along the reed-fringed shores of Burgumer Mar. Check that SUP rentals are available before your trip.
This makes it possible to plan your stay around a specific interest: village and architectural history, routes, seasonal wildlife watching or an activity on the water. The activities and wildlife observations mentioned vary by subject and, in some cases, by season; they are not all part of the same outing.
Discover more destinations: Eernewoude, Noardburgum, Aldtsjerk, Burgum, Wyns, Sumar, Ryptsjerk, Jistrum
For the broader travel overview: Tytsjerksteradiel.
