Dokkum is a town in the municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân
(Northeast Friesland in Dutch), in the Dutch province of Friesland.
In 2020 the place had 12,675 inhabitants.
Dokkum is located
south of the Wadden Sea and (south) west of the Lauwersmeer between
Damwoude (Damwâld) and Aalsum, located on the border between the
Kleistreek and the Friese Wouden. The city center is located around
the place where the Dokkumer Ee and the Dokkumergrootdiep meet.
The place is one of the Frisian eleven cities and has a regional
service function for Northeast Friesland. Dokkum is the fifth
shopping city in Friesland (56,688 m2 sales floor space). The
Frisian dialect Noordhoeks is spoken around Dokkum. Since 2016,
Dokkum has been connected to a renewed road network towards
Leeuwarden, Drachten and Groningen thanks to the Central Axis.
The Historic Center and Canals
Dokkum's old town is a picturesque
labyrinth of cobbled streets, 17th-century buildings, and serene canals
that reflect the town's maritime past. These waterways, lined with
historic houses and crossed by quaint bridges, create a tranquil
atmosphere perfect for leisurely strolls or boat tours. The center
exudes a "smûk" (cozy in Frisian) vibe, with boutiques offering local
crafts, household goods, and fashion, alongside cafes serving Dokkumer
koffie—a traditional coffee laced with Beerenburg liqueur and topped
with whipped cream. This area highlights Dokkum's evolution from a
medieval trading hub to a trendy yet down-to-earth destination, where
history meets contemporary leisure.
The Fortifications and
Bastions (Bolwerken)
One of Dokkum's defining features is its
impressive hexagonal fortifications, constructed in 1581 under the
orders of Prince William of Orange to defend against invasions. This
defensive system includes six protruding bastions, a 24-meter-wide moat,
and ramparts over five meters high, forming a 2.4-kilometer promenade
that's popular for walking or cycling. Along the path, visitors can
admire 19th-century cannons, the remnants of four historic gates
(Hanspoort, Halvemaanspoort, Woudpoort, and Aalsumerpoort), and
panoramic views of the town and countryside. The fortifications not only
showcase military engineering from the Dutch Golden Age but also
integrate natural elements, blending seamlessly with the nearby meadows
and trails. In the evenings, the town's bells ring at 9:50 PM as a nod
to the historical closing of the gates ten minutes later.
Windmills: Zeldenrust and De Hoop
Perched on the bastions are two
iconic windmills that add to Dokkum's skyline. Molen Zeldenrust, built
in 1862, is a striking smock mill known for its peaceful appearance,
especially on misty days, and serves as a landmark visible from afar.
It's still operational and occasionally open for tours, demonstrating
traditional Dutch milling techniques. Nearby, De Hoop is a rijksmonument
(national monument) from the 19th century, featuring classic
architecture with sails that evoke the region's agricultural heritage.
These windmills symbolize Friesland's reliance on wind power for
grinding grain and drainage, and they offer excellent photo
opportunities while exploring the ramparts.
Bonifatius Chapel and
Bonifatiusbron
Dokkum's history is inextricably linked to Saint
Boniface, an English missionary murdered here in 754 AD along with his
52 companions during an attempt to convert the Frisians to Christianity.
The Bonifatius Chapel, a serene pilgrimage site, commemorates this event
with a beautiful spring (Bonifatiusbron) and a statue of the saint in a
small, landscaped park. The chapel itself is a modest yet poignant
structure, featuring religious artifacts and gardens that invite
reflection. This site draws visitors interested in medieval history and
spirituality, underscoring Dokkum's role in early Christian missionary
efforts in the Netherlands.
The Ice Fountain (IJsfontein)
Located in the town center, the IJsfontein is a modern artistic
highlight among Friesland's 11 Fountains project. This interactive
sculpture, made of copper, is designed to form intricate ice patterns
influenced by weather conditions like temperature, humidity, wind, and
precipitation—making it unique every day. In winter, it can freeze into
elaborate shapes, while in milder weather, it flows as a conventional
fountain. Symbolizing the region's connection to nature and the
elements, it's a fascinating blend of art and science that attracts
photographers and curious visitors year-round.
Museum Dokkum
Housed in the former Admiralty building of Friesland and Groningen—a
grand 17th-century structure—the Museum Dokkum offers an immersive dive
into the town's maritime, cultural, and historical legacy. Exhibits
cover everything from Boniface's story to local archaeology, art, and
the Admiralty's role in naval affairs. Temporary displays often focus on
Frisian traditions, making it a must-visit for understanding Dokkum's
past. The museum's location at Diepswal 27 places it right in the heart
of the action, with nearby canals enhancing the experience.
Stadhuis (City Hall) and Churches
The Stadhuis van Dokkum, a elegant
Renaissance-style building from the 17th century, serves as the town's
administrative center and a symbol of civic pride. Its facade features
ornate gables and historical plaques. Nearby, the Grote of
Sint-Martinuskerk (Great Church) is a Gothic masterpiece with towering
spires, intricate stained glass, and a carillon that chimes throughout
the day. The Sint-Bonifatiuskerk, another key religious site, adds to
the town's ecclesiastical heritage with its neo-Gothic elements and ties
to local saints. These structures provide insight into Dokkum's
architectural evolution and religious history.
Other Notable
Sights
Oude Waag (Old Weigh House, 1754): A historic building once
used for weighing goods, now a reminder of Dokkum's trading heyday.
Breweries like Brouwerij Dockum: Experience traditional brewing with
modern twists; medieval Frisians consumed vast amounts of beer for its
safety and nutrition, and today's versions incorporate local passion.
Historic Hotel (from 1584): One of Europe's oldest, offering a stay
steeped in centuries of hospitality.
Dokkum is internationally known because in 754
Boniface was murdered in the vicinity of Dokkum.
There are
several explanations about the origin of the name Dokkum. Some think
of a combination and contraction of the Frisian husband's name
'Docko', which would have owned a yard or 'heim / hiem' here. Others
associate Dokkum with 'Tockingen', which is a 'settlement on a draft
or stream'. Spellings for the place name included 'Dockinga' and
'Dockynchirica'. Since the Middle Ages, Dokkum has been a monastery
that housed monks of the Norbertine order from the 13th century. In
1214 Olivier van Keulen preached the crusade in Dokkum, in which
Dokkumers also participated. This history is remembered by means of
a crescent moon on the Dokkum coat of arms.
In 1298, after
Stavoren, Harlingen and IJlst, Dokkum was granted city rights as the
fourth city in Friesland.
In the Great Frisian War, the
Allied army led by Focko Ukena attacked Dokkum (1418). After a few
skirmishes with the Schieringer defenders, they surrendered and the
city was overpowered. Dokkum is burned and the city defused
militarily.
In the Eighty Years' War against Spain, Dokkum
was an important pawn in the battle. In 1572 the city was in the
hands of the Geuzen for several hours. Dokkum was severely punished
for this with the Walloon Fury in Dokkum. After 1579, when Dokkum
joined the Union of Utrecht, an era of peace began. The Roman
monastery and monastery church were demolished in 1589, the tower of
the church continued to determine the townscape until 1832.
In earlier years the city was in open connection with the sea, the
Dokkumergrootdiep. In 1597 the Frisian Admiralty settled in Dokkum.
From here, all kinds of matters for the security of trade and
warfare with Spain were arranged at sea. Dokkum was of great
strategic importance, which is also evident from the construction of
the city walls in the years 1581-1582.
Yet the Admiralty did not stay long in Dokkum. Due to the
silting up of the shipping routes, she moved the office to Harlingen
in 1644. In 1729 the open connection with the Lauwerszee was finally
closed by the construction of the Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen. This also
replaced the old 16th-century sea lock under the Zijl. Dokkum
increasingly developed into a country-oriented city.
Dokkum
went bankrupt due to the construction of the Stroobossertrekvaart in
the years 1654 - 1656. Dokkum was and is known in the local
tradition as "Arm Dokkum".
The municipality remained within
the boundaries of the strongholds until 1925, after which parts of
East and West Dongeradeel and Dantumadeel were added to the
municipality of Dokkum.
Until 1984 Dokkum was also an
independent municipality. By merging with the municipalities of
West- and Oostdongeradeel, the municipality of Dongeradeel was
created, of which Dokkum became the main town.
South of
Dokkum is a well, which is associated by tradition with (the death
of) the Anglo-Saxon missionary Boniface in 754 and has therefore
become a Catholic pilgrimage site.
Fedde Sonnema started his
distillery and liqueur distillery in Dokkum, still known from
Sonnema Berenburg. The old factory is still in Dokkum. The square in
front of the former factory is named after Sonnema Sonnemapleintje.
The berenburg is now fired in Bolsward.
In the nineteenth
century there was an increasing lack of space in Dokkum. This was
due to the ramparts, which hindered growth to the outside, because
it was not allowed to build within the firing range of the cannons
on the bastions. All new construction was crammed into the city
center, which led to the loss of many old historic buildings.
Fortunately, the city center of Dokkum - one of the first places in
the Netherlands - was declared a protected cityscape in 1974, making
it one of the protected city and village views in Friesland.
In the past, a train stopped in Dokkum, the Dokkumer classroom.
Passenger service was discontinued before the war, freight transport
was not until the mid-1970s, but many Dokkumer still know the
Dokkumer room. There was a pub in Dokkum with the name "Dokkumer
lokaaltje", and every Dokkumer knows the well-known song of the
train.
On November 18, 2017, the national arrival of
Sinterklaas took place in Dokkum.
In 2019, the municipality
of Dongeradeel, together with the municipalities of Ferwerderadiel
and Kollumerland ca, merged into the municipality of
Noardeast-Fryslân.