Blog: 7 Things to see and do in Workum

August 18, 2022 | Redactie VVV Waterland van Friesland

Workum

Warkum
Workum

Warkum

According to master painter Jopie Huisman, Workum was paradise on earth. In his words: 'For me heaven could never be more beautiful than this.’ Just look up and see all the different façades. The frontage of the city is designated as a protected cityscape. Discover all seven treasures of Workum for yourself and you'll see exactly what he meant.

1/ Jopie Huisman Museum

The Jopie Huisman Museum is dedicated to the life and works of the Frisian master painter, Jopie Huisman. His body of work very much reflects the human touch. We can recognise his love of nature, his compassion and also his capacity to add value to minor, modest and discarded objects. Jopie was also known as a narrator of amusing anecdotes, often a little embellished. Jopie transports you into his world and lets you share his passions.

Visit the museum

2/ The Wild Lions fountain – Cornelia Parkerm

The lions that have graced the coat of arms of Workum for many centuries, played a leading role in this fountain, one of the 11Fountains project. While the city arms lions are intended to be awe-inspiring, the artist has given these beasts a healthy dose of British humour. Like playful cats, they form a heart of water through which you can see the city, while they roar: “Look at our city.”

3/ Sint Gertrudis church

The beautiful Market Square 'De Merk' in Workum - where you'll also find the Waag weighing house and the old City Hall - is home to the largest late-Gothic church of Friesland. Here, you'll find a unique collection of decorative funeral biers. This church welcomes thousands of tourists each year, attracted by these intriguing funeral biers used for transport of coffins during the funeral. The decorative painting or lack thereof says a great deal about long-forgotten lives.

Visit Sint Gertrudis church

4/ Museum Warkums Erfskip

Experience Workum from the Weigh House. Models and stories take you through the history of this Eleven Cities town. Also take a look in the attic. There you can time travel with the old letters of Workumer skipper Huijte Fookles. Do you recognise yourself in them?

Visit museum Warkums Erfskip

5/ Blazerhaven

Alongside the sea lock in Workum, you'll find the Blazerhaven, a museum harbour filled with original sailing fishing boats dating from the first half of the previous century. A beautiful and photogenic spot to visit.

Visit De Hoop shipyard and Blazerhaven

6/ HISTORIC TOWNSCAPE

Admire the beautifully preserved facades on the Noard. These stately merchant houses used to stand along the water of the Wymerts. Especially the building called Sleeswijckhuis on Noard no. 5 is often photographed. The unorthodox combination of a stepped gable and a pilastered gable is striking. The pilasters are richly decorated with arabesques.

7/ WORKUMER PEERDESTAL

The waterway between Bolsward and Workum was dug as early as 1620. When the draught barge proved a great success in Friesland, Workum started building the draught road or 'De Trekwei' in Frisian in 1648. The tow canal was sailed with a trekschuit. A ship that was pulled from the shore by a horse or human power and mainly carried passengers. Compared to sailing ships, the trekschuit had the advantage of having a reliable timetable. For to set sail one did not depend on the wind. At both ends of the Trekweg was an inn with a horse stable. In Bolsward this was inn Het Oortje and in Workum inn De Zwaan. The gable stone 'dit is de workummer peerdestal' refers to these times. It depicts the horse facing to the right, towards Bolsward.