Wier, Netherlands

Wier
Village
View on Wier
Coat of arms
Location in Menameradiel municipality
Wier Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Wier Wier (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°15′7″N5°37′27″E / 53.25194°N 5.62417°E / 53.25194; 5.62417
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Waadhoeke
Area [1]
• Total	1.77 km2 (0.68 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	1.3 m (4.3 ft)
Population  (2021) [1]
• Total	190
• Density	110/km2 (280/sq mi)
Postal code	9043 [1]
Dialing code	0518

Wier is a village in Waadhoeke municipality in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of 210 in January 2017. ^[3]

History

The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Werue, and means terp (artificial living hill). ^[4] The terp probably dates from the beginning of our era and was located on the outskirts of the Middelzee. It was originally a fishing village, and was connected to Berlikum via a canal. ^[5]

The Dutch Reformed church was built in the 12th century. The tower dates from 1881. The church was restored in 2012. The church contains a unique astrarium which was created by an onderduiker (person in hiding) during World War II and donated to the church in 1946. ^[6]

The stins Lauta State was first mentioned in 1192. Around 1740, it was owned by Horatius Hiddema van Knijff, the grietman (mayor/judge) of Menaldumadeel. The population considered the taxes in the grietenij too high, and van Knijff was accused of conspiring with the French. On the night of 1 to 2 June 1748, there was a revolt and the angry population burnt down the estate. Van Knijff managed to flee. Only the tower remained standing until c. 1900 when it was demolished. ^[7]

When the Middelzee started to retreat, Wier turned into an agricultural community. ^[5] Wier was home to 258 people in 1840. ^[6] In 1981, a radar post was built in Wier as part of the NATO Integrated Air Defense System. In 2021, the installation was renewed, and the old tower was replaced. ^[8]

Before 2018, the village was part of the Menameradiel municipality. ^[6]

Gallery

• 
  Protestant church
• 
  Radar installation (2008)
• 
  Cat statue

References

1. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
2. "Postcodetool for 9043VL". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
3. Feiten en cijfers - Menameradiel
4. "Wier - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
5. "Wier". Friesland Wonderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
6. "Wier". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
7. "Lauta State". Stinsen in Friesland (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.
8. "Radar Station Wier". Dutch Ministry of Defence (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 April 2022.