FROM HISTORICAL TERP TO TERP OF THE FUTURE
Terps are important features in the Frisian landscape. Historically seen they speak to the imagination, they invoke archaeological questions and inspire new artistic and cultural plans and ideas. The inhabitants of the terps used to be closely connected to the Wadden. Though this relationship is still present in the area's current residents, that once very strong connection was clearly broken with the building of the dikes.
In 2011 the village of Blije decided to change that. The residents wanted to…
Terps are important features in the Frisian landscape. Historically seen they speak to the imagination, they invoke archaeological questions and inspire new artistic and cultural plans and ideas. The inhabitants of the terps used to be closely connected to the Wadden. Though this relationship is still present in the area's current residents, that once very strong connection was clearly broken with the building of the dikes.
In 2011 the village of Blije decided to change that. The residents wanted to live and work facing the Wadden Sea. The landscape of Friesland's highest terp in Hegebeintum still reveals part of the old history. Why not add a new story to this? And so the idea to build a new terp outside the dike near Blije was born: the Terp fan de Takomst (Frisian for Terp Of The Future). A place where extraordinary experiences will attract people to both the village and the Wadden coast; where old stories are told and new ones created.
On The Van Historische Terp naar Terp van de Toekomst (From Historical Terp to Terp of the Future) route visitors will travel through time in an old historical story to this final destination outside the dike.
This project was made possible with funds from: VSBfonds, Provincie Fryslân, Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij, Gemeente Ferwerderadiel, Bezoekerscentrum Terp Hegebeintum, Petronella Fonds Blije, Vereniging Dorpsbelang Blije, etc.
Sights on this route
Pypkedyk 4
9173 GC Hegebeintum
Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'
Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum' Pypkedyk 4 .9173 GC Hegebeintum
Craft cotton printing factory, Kleine Lijn
Craft cotton printing factory, Kleine Lijn Stationsweg 299171LR Blije
Pypkedyk 4
9173 GC Hegebeintum
Directions
Pypkedyk 4
9173 GC Hegebeintum
- Straight on from the terp up the hill to church 1.
- Pass the church and continue straight on, turn right on the shell path.
- At the end of the shell path turn right towards Pypedyk, turn left there.
- Follow the road on foot or by bicycle along the Vogelzangsterweg.
- Straight on via the lane with white pillars 2.
- Turn left at the end of the lane near the white house, walking path Forestry Commission (walk, do not ride your bike).
- Halfway along the path turn left, via small bridge Vogelzangsterweg.
- Turn right and follow the route towards Blije.
- Turn right at hub 89, former railway route 3.
- Turn left before the former railway station Blije, Stationsweg 4.
Fancy a gift or a snack? This is your chance! Make a stop at number 29 Kleine-Lijn, traditional textile printers with gift shop, delicious coffee and tea with scrumptious home-made pie.
- To the left, in the orchard behind Stationsweg 10, Monsama State was previously located, one of the four states in Blije. Just before the church to the left there was a chicoreieest (chicory dryer) up until the 1970s. A large rainwater well is located between the shell path and the church. During dry summers half of the village came to get water here.
- The iconic Hervormde St. Nicolaas Kerk (Reformed Saint Nicholas Church) sits on a rather low terp. The Roman tower dates back to the 13th century. Is the church open? Make sure to have a look inside this showpiece: a 16th-century gravestone depicting a warrior in full armour. This depiction goes together with the soldierly life of the most famous inhabitant of Blije: Janke van Unema.
- Straight on until the centre of the village and Watse Cuperusplein 5.
- Turn left at the end of the market square, Unemastraat, a former creek (mudflat gully) between the sea and lower hinterland.
- Cross the provincial road at the end of Unemastraat, Ljouwerterdyk.
- Straight on to the right is a former terp with dwelling. During the Middle Ages the location of Unema State 6.
- Straight on Unemaloane. Just before the sea dike is a NAM drilling location 7.
- Straight on and cross the road (Zeedijk), climb the stairs onto the dike to enjoy the view over the marshland 8.
- Cycle or walk down the dike to the left to the terp located outside the dike 9.
To return:
- Return to the road via the dike, turn right onto Zeedijk, then turn left on Kahoolsterlaan.
- At the end of Kahoolsterlaan, cross the provincial road and turn left towards Blije. When you enter the village, turn right on Vogelzangsterweg until you reach the starting point at the Terp Hegebeintum visitors centre.
Pypkedyk 4
9173 GC Hegebeintum