Nature and Frisian architectural history meet in Piaam. The village is designated as a protected village setting. This provides a clear starting point for planning your trip: you can explore the landscapes around the village or take a closer look at individual examples of its architectural history.
Nature and birdlife near Piaam
The De Ral birdwatching hide is open year-round. From the dyke platform at the hide, you can see the Makkumer SĂşdwaard, the Koaiwaard and the IJsselmeer. The route leads down from the dyke side via a staircase, through willow scrub and reed marsh, and over a footbridge to the hide. When planning your visit, you can take into account both the view from the platform and the route to get there.
The Dyksfearten also shape the landscape: this series of waterways runs parallel to the road and today serves mainly as an ecological corridor. The Kooiwaard lies a little further on from Piaam and is one of three nature reserves located outside the dykes along the IJsselmeer coast. The two names refer to different types of landscape: waterways alongside a road and a nature reserve on the coast.
Buismanskoai is also near Piaam. It is a former duck decoy in a small patch of woodland in the middle of a meadow. Today, the site is used for bird ringing. Buismanskoai therefore has a different connection to birdlife than De Ral: its current use is for ringing, while De Ral is an accessible birdwatching hide with views of several nature reserves and the IJsselmeer.
The natural history museum ’t Fûgelhûs is also in Piaam. In addition to the landscapes, nature enthusiasts will find a museum dedicated to natural history. Cultural activities organised at Podium Piaam offer another area of interest. If you would like to plan your visit around one of these events, it is best to check the relevant dates.
The church and Frisian architectural history
The Sint-Nicolaaskerk is a late Gothic brick church. A wooden bell turret rises above its west façade. These features give the church a clearly recognisable form, without the need to confuse it with other buildings or different phases of construction.
East of the church stands De Nynke Pleats, an 18th-century Frisian farmhouse. Piaam State is another historic building: it dates from the 17th century and is listed as a monument. The different centuries and building types offer concrete points of reference if you are interested in the architectural history of the village.
You can choose Piaam according to the focus of your trip: De Ral, the coastal landscapes and the waterways give the natural side its character; the church, farmhouse and Piaam State draw attention to the architectural history. The museum and Podium Piaam complement these themes with natural history and cultural activities.
Discover more destinations: Zurich, Schraard, Idsegahuizum
For the main travel overview: Wûnseradiel.
