Nijeholtpade: Church, Village History and Water Landscape

Nijeholtpade is shaped by a late medieval village history, a late Gothic church and a landscape of waterways and sand ridges. Landmarks include the Heilige Nicolaaskerk, the Linde and Tjonger rivers, and the Scheene. At Gerrit's Hutte, there are wide views across fields, a river and a lake.

Church and Village History

The Heilige Nicolaaskerk is a single-nave late Gothic church. Its tower has two storeys and ends in a slender spire set back from the tower walls. “Single-nave” describes a church with one main nave; together with the tower and spire, the term describes the building’s design. The church was built around 1525 and is the oldest building in the village. It stands on a raised churchyard. Originally, it stood at the intersection of the Middelweg and Buitenweg, roads of significance between settlements.

Inside the church are two tombstones belonging to the Lycklama family, dating from 1627 and 1640. Their dates are well after the church was built, so the building’s history and the tombs reflect different periods. Another historical trace is the former Stins Friesburg, also known as Lewenburg. It stood north of Nijeholtpade on Vriesburgerweg.

Nijeholtpade developed as a late medieval linear village along the road from Wolvega to Oosterwolde. The name thus refers both to the settlement’s form and to its development along this road. The church, the linear village and the former Stins illustrate different aspects of the village’s history.

Waterways and Landscape

The canalised Linde (in Stellingwerfs: Lende) and Tjonger (in Stellingwerfs: Kuunder) rivers flank Nijeholtpade on opposite sides. The Scheene is a dug waterway that flows through the village. The waterways thus have different spatial relationships to the village: the Linde and Tjonger lie on either side, while the Scheene runs through it. The De Scheene waterway leads from Nijeholtpade to Spanga.

The Zanen, also known as the Zanden, is a high sand ridge between the Linde and Nijeholtpade. While the rivers flank the village and the Scheene flows through it, the sand ridge describes the area between the village and the Linde. Nijeholtpade also lies on a spur of the Drents Plateau, in a wooded Stellingwerf landscape of wooded horizons. Together, these waterways and landforms complement the broader landscape setting.

The View at Gerrit's Hutte

From Gerrit's Hutte, there are wide views across the fields, the river and a lake. With a little luck, you may spot various birds of prey there. The viewpoint combines views of the landscape with the chance to see birds of prey, although sightings are a matter of luck.

Gerrit's Hutte can be reached via a cycle path from a car park south of Nijeholtpade on the N351. Check road and parking conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Oldeholtpade, Noordwolde, Zandhuizen, Wolvega, Oldetrijne, Blesdijke, Munnekeburen, Boijl

For the main travel overview: Weststellingwerf.