In Scharnegoutum, local history, waterways and nature offer different ways to explore. The Martenskerk stands at the centre; historic route connections lie along the Zwette, while De Flearen, north of the village, is a focal point for nature. When planning your visit, you can decide whether you are most interested in heritage, a water route or a nature area.
Village Centre and Places of Remembrance
The Martenskerk, a Rijksmonument (national heritage monument), stands in the centre of Scharnegoutum. One of the reasons for its protected status is the one-manual organ made by P. J. Radersma of Wommels in 1842. The church and organ thus offer a tangible point of connection with cultural history: alongside the building, a specific instrument, its maker and the year it was made are also identified.
The war memorial near the cemetery, at the corner of De Terp/Achterbuorren, offers a different perspective on the village’s history. It commemorates six local residents who lost their lives as a result of the hostilities in 1945. Its form is distinctive: a brick column is crowned by two stainless-steel flames with a cross cut out between them. Both the memorial’s purpose and its design offer their own way of engaging with history.
The municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân also identifies Scharnegoutum as one of the village centres whose historic character and strengths it seeks to promote and preserve. This intention is part of the municipality’s perspective on the village, alongside its specific churches, artworks and places of remembrance.
Art and the History of the Middelzee
The artwork “De nonnen fan it Nijkleaster” stands to the left before the bridge over the Swette in Scharnegoutum. It commemorates the convent for women, Auladei or Nijkleaster, built in 1233 on the edge of what was then the Middelzee. The convent closed in 1580 after the States of Fryslân banned the practice of the Catholic religion. Its foundation and closure mark two distinct periods in its history.
Another historic connection to the Swette is the “Tolhuis 1823”, a white house to the left of the bridge. It is one of the tollhouses that the municipality of Sneek had built and leased in 1823. The house is therefore part of a group and should be understood in the context of the construction and leasing history of that time.
The cultural and historic SSHUW route passes through Scharnegoutum along PĂ´le, Legedyk and Swettewei. Legedyk was the first line of dikes to enclose the Middelzee at the beginning of the 12th century. Those interested in the history of the landscape will find a clear connection here between a route through the village and the former dike line.
Waterways and Routes
The Zwette connects Sneek and Leeuwarden and is an important part of the Middelzee Route. The Elfstedentocht also follows the Zwette directly through Scharnegoutum. Another combined boating, canoeing and SUP route, approximately 20 kilometres long, runs from Sneek via Tirns, Reahus, Rien and Boazum to Scharnegoutum, then returns to Sneek via the Zwette. Its approximate length and named stages give this water route its own character, while the Elfstedentocht is distinguished by passing directly through the village.
The cycling art route takes a different approach: it leads to public artworks in Sneek and the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân. This puts a route to artworks alongside the water-based routes on the Zwette. The distinction makes it clear what to choose based on your interests: public art or routes connected with water and the Middelzee.
De Flearen Nature Area
De Flearen nature area lies north of Scharnegoutum. It can be reached via the Alddyk, a cycle path and three blue bridges; as route conditions can change, check them before setting out. The area includes a wetland created in part for meadow birds, an information board, benches and a picnic table. A swallow tower is intended for house martins.
Another nature area, Oer`t Lange Rek, has an information board about the area and the history of its surroundings. Together with De Flearen, it complements the cultural and historic and water-related themes with nature and landscape history.
Discover more destinations: Indijk, Gaastmeer, Jutrijp, Oudega Gem Wymbritserad.
View the broader travel overview: Wymbritseradiel.
