Verhildersum - Niehove - Franeker

Route: Groningen - Verhildersum - Niehove - Franeker - Groningen
Duration: 7 h
Our first stop we will make at the estate’s stately home Verhildersum Manor. Over the centuries several families resided in the borg - the last one until 1953. They adapted and modernized it according to their wishes, so over time the home has seen various changes, both inside and out. Today it offers a peek into life on a 19th century estate. The borg tells the story of the Van Bolhuis-Frima family, who lived there in the second half of the 19th century. It’s as if the residents have just stepped out and could walk back in again any minute. Verhildersum Manor is presenting the Dutch aristocratic country life through the centuries and beautiful park. Verhildersum is an important link between the present and the past of the region. You will not only discover how interesting, rich and tasteful country life was, but also how interesting, rich and tasteful country life still is nowadays.The next stop we will make at the village of Niehove. De Niehovewierde (artificial mound) has been inhabited for 2200 years. During the Stefanus flood of 838, the Lauwerszee came into existence and Niehove, named Suxwort at the time, was on an island surrounded by deep channels. Suxwort became the capital of the island Humsterland.Around the year 1200, the number of storm surges increased and the inhabitants decided to build a circular dyke around Humsterland. After 1500 the island was connected to the mainland with dykes, after which the surrounding land was reclaimed.Niehove is a radial mound village. In the centre of the village there is the 13th century church with spire, with the houses surrounding the church in two rings. The roads, like spokes in a wagon wheel, all lead to the church. Until 1830 the church was separated from the street by a canal, in order to keep the spirits safely on the cemetery.Around 1840 Niehove had three mills. Of the post-mill along the Molenpad only the miller's house remains. Cafe Eisseshof dates from the 17th century and is still in its original state. Our next stop will be at the Franeker which is also known as the Star of the eleven historical cities of Friesland. However, Franeker also boasts the Netherlands’ oldest working planetarium. The Royal Eise Eisinga Museum is probably the best known, and certainly the most impressive museum in Friesland. Stepping inside is tantamount to taking a trip back in time, and you are bound to be amazed by the working model of the solar system suspended from the ceiling of this splendid canalside house’s living room. The planetarium was constructed by Eise Eisinga between 1774 and 1781, and it remains topical to this very day. Part of the city centre of Franeker is still surrounded by a splendid bulwark, on which its traditional tearooms, or ‘tea houses’ are situated. Sights to see on a walking tour of the traditional city centre include splendid canals and numerous historc buildings, such as the Dutch Renaissance Town Hall, the mediaeval Martinikerk church, and Martenastins castle, which dates from 1498 and currently houses the Martena Museum.The surrounding of Franeker has a long and rich history. There are findings of artifacts that date back to 500 BC. In this period the first terps were built. These are man made mounds or knolls and were built to be safe from the floods. Before there were any dykes, most villages were built on small patches of dry land, surrounded by marshes. Today, one can see many dykes in the landscape, the Slachtedijk is well known. The centre of Franeker, once a university city, has several tremendous historical buildings. Franeker has also a recently reconstructed shopping area with a mixture of attractive stores.nding villages. After that visit we will return to Groningen.
Price: Per person