Wier, Netherlands

Village in Friesland, Netherlands
Coat of arms of Wier
Coat of arms
Location in Menameradiel municipality
Location in Menameradiel municipality
53°15′7″N 5°37′27″E / 53.25194°N 5.62417°E / 53.25194; 5.62417CountryNetherlandsProvinceFrieslandMunicipalityWaadhoekeArea • Total1.77 km2 (0.68 sq mi)Elevation1.3 m (4.3 ft)Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total190 • Density110/km2 (280/sq mi)Postal code
9043[1]
Dialing code0518

Wier is a village in Waadhoeke municipality in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of 210 in January 2017.[3]

History

The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Werue, and means terp (artificial living hill).[4] The terp probably dates from the beginning of our era and was located on the outskirts of the Middelzee. It was originally a fishing village, and was connected to Berlikum via a canal.[5]

The Dutch Reformed church was built in the 12th century. The tower dates from 1881. The church was restored in 2012. The church contains a unique astrarium which was created by an onderduiker (person in hiding) during World War II and donated to the church in 1946.[6]

The stins Lauta State was first mentioned in 1192. Around 1740, it was owned by Horatius Hiddema van Knijff, the grietman (mayor/judge) of Menaldumadeel. The population considered the taxes in the grietenij too high, and van Knijff was accused of conspiring with the French. On the night of 1 to 2 June 1748, there was a revolt and the angry population burnt down the estate. Van Knijff managed to flee. Only the tower remained standing until c. 1900 when it was demolished.[7]

When the Middelzee started to retreat, Wier turned into an agricultural community.[5] Wier was home to 258 people in 1840.[6] In 1981, a radar post was built in Wier as part of the NATO Integrated Air Defense System. In 2021, the installation was renewed, and the old tower was replaced.[8]

Before 2018, the village was part of the Menameradiel municipality.[6]

Gallery

  • Protestant church
    Protestant church
  • Radar installation (2008)
    Radar installation (2008)
  • Cat statue
    Cat statue

References

  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 9043VL". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  3. ^ Feiten en cijfers - Menameradiel
  4. ^ "Wier - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Wier". Friesland Wonderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "Wier". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Lauta State". Stinsen in Friesland (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Radar Station Wier". Dutch Ministry of Defence (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
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