Boksum | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 St Margaret's church | |
 Location in Menameradiel municipality | |
  Boksum Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Boksum Boksum (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands | |
| Coordinates:53°11′N5°44′E / 53.183°N 5.733°E /53.183; 5.733 | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Friesland |
| Municipality | Waadhoeke |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.71 km2 (1.05 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 0.7 m (2.3 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 420 |
| • Density | 150/km2 (400/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 9031[1] |
| Dialing code | 058 |
Boksum (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈbɔksʏm]) is a village inWaadhoeke municipality in the province ofFriesland, theNetherlands. It had a population of around 400 people in 2020[3] Before 2018, the village was part of theMenameradiel municipality.[4]
The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Boxum, meaning "settlement of Bokke or Bokse".[5] Boksum was aterp (artificial living hill) village with a radial structure which dates frombefore Christ. It was built close to theMiddelzee.[6] The Dutch Reformed church has elements from the 12th century, and has been enlarged several times.[6] The tower collapsed in 1842 and was rebuilt in 1843 using the stones of the previous tower.[6][7]
On 17 January 1586, the last battle of theDutch Revolt in Friesland was fought near Boksum. The Spanish won the battle, and an estimated 1,000 Dutch soldiers died; however, the ice had started to melt and an easy passage to the capitalLeeuwarden over the ice was no longer an option.[7][4]
Boksum was home to 237 people in 1840.[4] Theterp was partially excavated in 1869.[7]
Modern Boksum has a bakery, a community center and two churches. The oldest of the two churches is still used as a church belonging to theDutch Reformed Church. The elementary school was used to teach three languages:Dutch,West Frisian andEnglish, but closed in 2019 due a lack of students. The remainder of the school was incorporated into the elementary school inDeinum, an adjacent village.
