Wijnaldum: Terps, History and Walking Routes

When you consider Wijnaldum as a travel destination, terp landscapes, walking routes and historic buildings come together. Wijnaldum is originally a terp village and lies on one of the terps in a chain of terps more than two kilometres long, running northeast. Several routes take in this landscape, while the Andreaskerk and archaeological traces add a layer of architectural and local history.

Terp landscape and routes

The Terpen-Kuierroute Wijnaldum runs around the chain of terps, which consists of six terps lying side by side on a kwelderwal (salt-marsh ridge). The five-kilometre walking route starts at the Archaeological Centre in Wijnaldum. Its length, starting point and course give you practical information for planning. The route focuses on the chain itself: its six terps lie side by side on the kwelderwal, while the path runs around them.

The Kattenroute Wijnaldum has a different focus. It passes eight utility cabinets painted with graffiti cats. The two routes therefore offer different subjects to explore: the Terpen-Kuierroute focuses on the landscape, while the Kattenroute features the painted cabinets.

The Wijnaldumer bos village garden was created after the land consolidation in the 1970s, on the site of Wijnaldum’s former terp. It has a walking path and an observation tower at the height of the original terp. The garden thus connects its present-day design with the former site of a terp. If you are interested in the history of the landscape, this connection offers a distinct point of interest alongside the chain of terps that the Kuierroute circles.

From the three-metre-high Terpentoer, you can enjoy views across the landscape as far as the Tjitsmaterp. Its height and named destination make this viewpoint a distinctive feature of the landscape. The view adds another perspective on the surroundings alongside the routes and village garden.

Historic traces and architecture

The Spoarpaad: Troch it lan fân Winaam also passes a former transport site: Wijnaldum’s former railway station was in operation from 1903 to 1935. You can also see the remains of an old railway bridge over the Ried between Wijnaldum and Sexbierum. The station and bridge are different traces of railway history: one is a former stop with a clearly defined period of operation, while remains of a bridge structure survive at the other.

In the early Middle Ages, Wijnaldum was an important centre of trade and power. A unique gold cloak brooch from the seventh century was also found at the Tjitsmaterp. The date of the find and the village’s medieval significance are two specific historical points of interest that can be considered alongside each other. The information about the cloak brooch refers to its discovery at the Tjitsmaterp; the description of Wijnaldum as a centre of trade and power refers to the early Middle Ages.

The Andreaskerk adds an architectural point of interest. It is a late Gothic hall church with an integrated west tower dating from 1904. Inside, it has an ornately carved pulpit, whose pulpit basket, stairs, back panel and sounding board date from 1728. The church thus combines a precisely described architectural style with a dated furnishing. If you are interested in architecture, it offers another distinct focus for exploring Wijnaldum, alongside the terps and traces of former transport routes.

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