Bolsward

Bolsward Boalsert
—  Municipality  —
City Hall
Flag Coat of arms
Coordinates: 53°04′N 5°32′E / 53.067°N 5.533°E / 53.067; 5.533
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Area (2006)
- Total	9.42 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
- Land	9.11 km2 (3.5 sq mi)
- Water	0.31 km2 (0.1 sq mi)
Population (1 January, 2007)
- Total	9,607
- Density	1,055/km2 (2,732.4/sq mi)
	Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)

Bolsward ( pronunciation (help·info), West Frisian: Boalsert) is a municipality and a city in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. Bolsward is just short of a population of 10,000. The town is the only official settlement within the borders of the municipality

History

The town is founded on three artificial dwelling hills, of which the first was built some time before Christ. Bolsward was a trading city with a port in the Middle Ages. The middlesea connected the port to the North Sea, but this connection was lost when the middlesea was reclaimed from the sea. As a trading city, Bolsward received city rights in 1455. Bolsward was also a member of the Hanseatic league.

Notable historical figures born here include:

• Juw Juwinga or Jonghema, 11th potestate of Friesland (14th century)
• Petrus Thaborita, historian (1450-1527)
• Boetius Adamsz Bolswert, engraver (c.1580-1633)
• Schelderic Adamsz Bolswert, engraver (c.1586-1659)
• Gysbert Japiks, poet (1603-1666)
• Frederick Philipse, American progenitor and founder (1626-1702)
• Willem Muurling, theologian (1805-1882)
• Titus Brandsma, Carmelite philosopher (1881-1942)

Events

Bolsward is one of the eleven Frisian cities in which the Elfstedentocht, an ice skating marathon, is held. This is a rare event which depends on the thickness of the ice.

Bolsward is also the host city for the yearly road bicycle racing tour, which is also called the 11-stedentocht.

External links

• Official website

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bolsward

v • d • e    Municipalities of Friesland (Fryslân) Achtkarspelen · Ameland · Boarnsterhim · Bolsward · Dantumadiel · Dongeradeel · Ferwerderadiel · Franekeradeel · Gaasterlân-Sleat · Harlingen · Heerenveen · Het Bildt · Kollumerland c.a. · Leeuwarden · Leeuwarderadeel · Lemsterland · Littenseradiel · Menaldumadeel · Nijefurd · Ooststellingwerf · Opsterland · Schiermonnikoog · Skarsterlân · Smallingerland · Sneek · Terschelling · Tytsjerksteradiel · Vlieland · Weststellingwerf · Wûnseradiel · Wymbritseradiel See also: Netherlands · Provinces · Municipalities

v • d • e Places with city rights in Friesland Bolsward · Dokkum · Franeker · Harlingen  · Hindeloopen · IJlst · Leeuwarden · Sloten · Sneek · Stavoren · Workum

Coordinates: 53°04′N 5°32′E / 53.067°N 5.533°E / 53.067; 5.533

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