Waterside Gardens
IJlst
Unique and characteristic to IJlst are the waterside gardens on each side of the Ee.
Unique and characteristic to IJlst are the waterside gardens on each side of the Ee.
Elderly people referring to these yards in the Frisian language, will often speak of the 'bleek’ (bleach). This was the old function of such a grassy area, to bleach the white laundry. After a boil wash in the olden days, the laundry was laid out on the grass, so that the sunlight could dry and bleach it. The previous residents of the Galama and Eegracht canalside houses in IJlst had their bleaches on the other side of the street. They needed to cross the street to reach them therefore, hence the Dutch word 'overtuin': garden on the other side. With the invention of washing machines, the bleaching function was to disappear.
Yet the people of IJlst have kept their gardens on the other side, and preserved this unique feature of the city. Nowadays, this is common land owned by the municipality and made available to the community for use, as long as it is kept well maintained. Each year, on the first Saturday of June, the people of IJlst organise the 'Overtuinen fair'. Around 50 stalls are then set up in the many gardens. Between them, they offer a variety of curiosities, bric-a-brac, antiques, garden furniture, home decoration, or flowers and plants, clothing and religious statues. There are also tasty treats, and artists practising many crafts and trades. And so the ‘overtuinen’ have regained an active and very useful function.
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Locations
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Plaque Blauwpoortsbrug
Plaque BlauwpoortsbrugBefore the Liberation, large groups of German soldiers left Friesland. With carts, bicycles and a lot of stuff it was a real exodus. It was not always clear to the Germans where to go.
Bolsward -
Crackstate
CrackstateDe Crackstate is één van de mooist gebouwen van Heerenveen en werd in 1648 gebouwd in opdracht van grietman Johannes Crack.
Heerenveen -
Stadsgrachten Bolsward
Stadsgrachten BolswardBolsward werd echt welvarend door de zuivelhandel in de 17e eeuw. Dit zie je goed terug in de huizen langs de stadsgrachten uit die tijd.
Bolsward -
Fountain Church
Fountain ChurchThe Fountain Church is a Dutch Reformed church in the charming little village of Oudemirdum. It was built in 1790 on the foundations of a 13th-century tuff stone church. The second nave on the north side of the church was added in 1926.
Oudemirdum -
11Fountains Hindeloopen
11Fountains HindeloopenThe city coat of arms, with its tree of life, with the deer and the doe surrounding it, is the source of inspiration for the fountain in Hindeloopen.
Hindeloopen -
Outdoor exhibition City and Shipping Panels
Outdoor exhibition City and Shipping PanelsWhen walking around IJlst, there's never a dull moment. And what you certainly mustn't miss on your walking route, is the permanent outdoor exhibition known as Schepenfries (Shipping Panels).
IJlst -
Hooischippershuis
HooischippershuisVoormalig hooischippershuis aan de Harinxmastrjitte in Heeg
Heeg -
Vuurtoren van Lemmer
Vuurtoren van LemmerJe kunt hem niet missen, wanneer je Lemmer binnen komt varen vanaf het IJsselmeer. Nog steeds word je van harte welkom geheten door dit beeldbepalende icoon; de Vuurtoren van Lemmer.
Lemmer
In the neighbourhood
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Sneek - Balk | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 3
Sneek - Balk | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 3(23.4 km)Sneek -
Van stad naar stad: IJlst - Workum - Bolsward - Sneek | Fietsrondje
Van stad naar stad: IJlst - Workum - Bolsward - Sneek | Fietsrondje(51.0 km)IJlst -
Van stad naar stad: Bolsward - IJlst - Sneek | Fietsrondje
Van stad naar stad: Bolsward - IJlst - Sneek | Fietsrondje(31.4 km)Bolsward