Snakkerburen: History on the Dokkumer Ee

Snakkerburen lies on the Dokkumer Ee and combines a long local history with tangible historical evidence. The history of the village dates back to the 16th century. Protected buildings, a historic cemetery and a QR code walking tour offer different ways to explore the village’s cultural heritage. The age of the buildings, architecture, the former role of the waterway and local stories emerge as distinct themes.

The Dokkumer Ee and local history

Historically, the Dokkumer Ee played an important role in the transport of products to and from Snakkerburen. The movement of goods adds an economic perspective to the study of the buildings. This makes it possible to distinguish two sides of the village’s history: architectural evidence and the waterway’s former function.

Architectural history and monuments

One specific point of reference is the former De Sevenster inn at Oan 'e Ie 1, built in 1775. The protected building at Oan 'e Dyk 1 dates from the first half of the 19th century. At Oan 'e Ie 6 is another protected building from the late 18th or early 19th century; its tiled roof is a hipped roof. Unlike a gabled roof, a hipped roof has sloping roof surfaces at the ends as well. These offer two complementary ways to describe a building: its date places it in time, while its hipped roof describes its form.

Snakkerburen has four nationally protected monuments. The dates given for the buildings mentioned range from 1775 to the first half of the 19th century, pointing to more than one period of construction. To compare them, it is worth considering both the specific construction year of the former inn and the broader date ranges of the other buildings.

The Drenkelingenkerkhof

Another historical point of reference is the Drenkelingenkerkhof. It lies outside the built-up area, at the corner of Oan’e Dyk and Pôllepaed, is a municipal monument and forms part of the walking route. The cemetery was established in 1873 and had room for 296 graves. Its location, inclusion in the route and the specific number of graves add another aspect of local history to the architectural evidence.

The QR code walking tour

The QR code walking tour leads to historic sites, houses, well-known figures and stories from Snakkerburen. It is designed as a self-guided route that combines local history with individual stories. You can start from the Leeuwarden side at the bicycle bridge; the first information sign explains the “Minefjild.” These provide two specific points of reference: a possible starting point and the topic covered by the first sign. The walk therefore draws attention not only to buildings, but also to the people and stories associated with Snakkerburen.

Open-air theatre in the Doarpstún

Iepenloftspul Snakkerbuorren is an open-air theatre in Snakkerburen’s Doarpstún. The theatre adds another cultural dimension to the historic buildings and the route.

Discover more destinations: Wirdum, Leeuwarden, Goutum.

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