Discover Sumar: Bintje heritage, village church and Frisian landscape

Sumar brings together Frisian local history, distinctive landscape features and an annual equestrian event. If you are considering Sumar as a destination for a hotel stay, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: local history, landscape or an event.

Landscape and local character

Sumar lies on the boundary between sandy ground and low peatland, and on an esker field. This is less clearly defined than the esker fields of Jistrum, Noordermeer and ’t Heechsân. The two descriptions emphasise different aspects: one places Sumar between two landscape areas, while the other compares the character of its esker field with those of the places mentioned.

The Sumarreheide lies southwest of Sumar. There was once an extensive heathland between Sumar, Nijega and De Tike. This historical landscape detail complements the description of the area’s present-day setting without equating the former heathland with the village as it is today.

Local history and remembrance

The Bintje Monument commemorates Kornelis Lieuwes de Vries, who was a teacher and potato breeder. De Vries developed the Bintje potato variety in 1905; he worked as a schoolteacher in Sumar. This links the history of the variety to the person and his profession.

Sumar’s village church was built in 1769 and consecrated on 12 November of that year. An organ by Bakker en Timmenga was put into use there on 7 March 1907. The church also has an oak pulpit, probably dating from the mid-17th century and likely already in use in the church before 1769. Six restored stained-glass windows by Ype Staak, dating from 1771, are also part of the church. The different dates offer insight into several historical periods in the church’s history and furnishings.

The De Molkbus monument has stood in Sumar near the primary school since 1996. Along with the church and the Bintje Monument, it offers a look at different forms of remembrance: religious architectural history, village history, and the memory of a teacher and potato breeder.

Visits and event dates

The De Hoop grain mill is open every Saturday and can be visited accompanied by a volunteer miller. If you plan to visit the mill, check the visitor information for that particular Saturday before you travel.

The Hynstedagen is an annual Frisian equestrian event held on the Sumarreheide near Sumar and Garyp. The dates vary from year to year. The 2026 programme included inspections, carriage classes, championships, an evening tournament, market stalls and shows; programme items may change between editions. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the dates for the relevant edition.

The “Op é Trapers” cultural and historical route passes through De Alde Feanen National Park, through the villages of Sumar, Oudega and Opeinde, and past various cultural and historical monuments. It therefore includes both village sections and historical sights along the way.

Discover more destinations: Aldtsjerk, Burgum, Eernewoude, Jistrum, Noardburgum, Ryptsjerk, Oostermeer, Hardegarijp

For the main travel overview: Tytsjerksteradiel.