A stay in Blesdijke can be planned around different interests: architectural history, a historic hiking trail, nature and water management each offer their own highlights. Kasteel Olt Stoutenburght gives the area a distinctive architectural landmark, while the Bonifatius Kloosterpad connects history with a specific route.
Building History in Blesdijke
Kasteel Olt Stoutenburght has been built in Blesdijke by the artist Gregorius (Gerry) Halman since 1990. Halman uses collected old building materials to create a fantasy castle with Romanesque influences. This brings together three clearly defined aspects: the artistic creator, the old building materials and a design influenced by Romanesque architecture. The focus is not on a single year of construction, but on a building project that has been ongoing since 1990. If you are interested in architecture, you can prioritise this topic over the monastery’s history or the landscape.
Monastery History and Route Planning
The Bonifatius Kloosterpad focuses on the historic connection embodied by the route. In Blesdijke, the trail presents history in connection with the former Maria and Agnes Monastery. The Grey Sisters served there for a century, following the Third Rule of Saint Francis. The route reaches Blesdijke via the De Stroomkant polder. As part of the route deviates from the hiking junction network, downloading the GPX file is recommended. This lets you take both the monastery’s history and the specific route guidance into account when planning.
An Accessible Site and Its Facilities
Kerkheuvel Blesdijke is open to visitors. Its facilities include a medieval-looking entrance gate, a drained path, a bridge, an information board, benches and a memorial monument. This describes both access and several specific features of the site. The information board and benches distinguish this visitor attraction from the Bonifatius Kloosterpad, where the route itself and its connection to the monastery’s history are the main considerations for planning.
Nature and Water Management
Blesdijkerheide is a 60-hectare nature area owned by Staatsbosbeheer. Its listed landscape features include young forests, remnants of heathland and coppice woodland; it is also home to large nests of red wood ants. This combination brings the natural setting to life: alongside different types of woodland are the remaining heathland areas and the ant nests. If nature is more important to you than building history, this description offers a distinct focus for your selection.
The former Stroomkant electric pumping station is located on a walking and cycling route. Since 2001, a new, smaller and more efficient pumping station has taken over its former function. The original pumping station on the Linde is used, among other things, as temporary accommodation for recreational purposes. Here, you can distinguish between the former pumping function, its replacement by a new facility and the original building’s current temporary use. Blesdijke is also part of the Turfroute. This gives you another named route to consider when planning your trip, in addition to the Bonifatius Kloosterpad.
Discover more destinations: Zandhuizen, Oldeholtpade, Boijl, Wolvega, Scherpenzeel, Noordwolde, Nijeholtpade, Oldetrijne
For the overview of the wider area: Weststellingwerf.
