The village of Britsum is located in the municipality of Leeuwarden (province of Friesland), in the Netherlands. Britsum was built on an artificial bank (terp) running along the eastern side of the former Middelzee. The church, built around 1300, is also located on this bank.[citation needed] It had a population of about 910 citizens in January 2017.[3]
Britsum | |
|---|---|
Village | |
.jpg) St John's Church | |
 Location in Leeuwarderadeel municipality | |
  Britsum Location in the Netherlands  Britsum Britsum (Netherlands) | |
| Coordinates: 53°15′N 5°47′E / 53.250°N 5.783°E | |
| Country |  Netherlands |
| Province |  Friesland |
| Municipality |  Leeuwarden |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.98 km2 (1.92 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 0.4 m (1.3 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Total | 950 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (490/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 9055[1] |
| Dialing code | 058 |
History
It was first mentioned in 944 as Bruggiheim, and means "settlement near a bridge".[4] Britsum is a terp (artificial living mound) village with a radial structure. It dates from the early middle ages and was built near the Middelzee. A large part of the mound was excavation around 1900.[5]
The western side of the Dutch Reformed church dates between 1180 and 1200. The nave and choir date between 1240 and 1260. The church received its present shape in 1875.[5] In 1840, Britsum was home to 326 people.[6]
Britsum was served by a station on the North Friesland Railway which opened in 1901 and closed to passengers in December 1940. The line finally closed in 1997.[7]
Before 2018, the village was part of the Leeuwarderadeel municipality.[6]
Gallery
Former school building
Farm in Britsum
Notable people
- Joost Klein (born 1997), rapper
References
External links
Media related to Britsum at Wikimedia Commons