Wiuwert
Wieuwerd
Wiuwert | ||
---|---|---|
Village | ||
Postal code 8637[1] | ||
Dialing code | 058 |
Wiuwert (
History
The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Wiwerth. The etymology is unclear.[4] Wiuwert is a terp (artificial living hill) village.[5] Before the poldering of the lakes and when Wiuwert was located along the former Middelzee, it was a thriving fishing village which was described to have contained more than 180 houses.[6]
The Dutch Reformed church dates from around 1200, but has been modified several times, the latest being between 1860 and 1870. The tower dates from 1888. The basement of the church contains mummies and natural mummification occurs if a body is placed in the basement.[5][6]
Wiuwert was home to 83 people in 1840.
Before 2018, the village was part of the Littenseradiel municipality and before 1984 it belonged to Baarderadeel municipality.[6]
Labadist community
After the death of the
Several Reformed pastors left their parishes to live in community at Wieuwerd. At its peak, the community numbered around 600 with many more adherents further afield. Visitors came from England, Italy, Poland and elsewhere, though not all approved of the strict discipline, separatism and community property.[11] The community lasted until 1730.
Mummies
The basement of the Nicolas Church of Wiuwert houses four natural mummies dating back to the beginning of the seventeenth century. In the year 1609, the noble Walta family had a crypt built beneath the church for them to be buried in. Some members of the aforementioned Labadist community were also buried in the crypt. In the year 1765, construction crew accidentally rediscovered this crypt with its very well preserved bodies: the bodies were still wearing clothes, and they looked like they had just been buried.[12] There were originally eleven bodies in the crypt, however many had been stolen, leaving just four.[13]
So far, scientists have been unable to pinpoint the cause of the mummification of the bodies. Contributing factors such as the constant low temperature, high humidity and continuous airflow have been mentioned, but never proven.[14] Several birds have been hung on the ceiling as a test and have mummified.[15]
The identity of the mummies is similarly unclear. The four mummies are one young girl (aged 14) that died around 1610 from tuberculosis, a woman that died a peaceful death around 1618, a man who died a painful death due to a dental abscess, and the gold smith Stellingwerf who appears to have died peacefully and was the last to be buried around the year 1705.[16]
A set of ivory dentures was discovered in the basement. Some believe that it belonged to Anna Maria van Schurman, because she was one of the few who could afford and make such a luxury.[6]
Notable people
- Anna Maria van Schurman (1607–1678), painter, poet, and scholar.[6]
- Maria Sybilla Merian(1647-1717), artist, scientist
Gallery
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Village square and pub
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Street of Wiuwert
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Hoard of Wiuwert
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Thetinga State (c. 1686)
References
- ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Postcodetool for 8637VD". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ Aantal inwoners per dorp - Littenseradiel
- ^ "Wiuwert - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Wiuwert". Friesland wonderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Wiuwert". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Goudschat van Wieuwerd". Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ Details on the Waltha or Thetinga estate Drawing and map of the estate by Johann Andreas Graff, Merian's husband
- PMID 9488017.
- ISBN 0-8130-1570-7.
- ^ ISBN 3-7829-0459-1
- ^ Official website of the mummy crypt
- ^ "De mummies van Wieuwerd". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 14 April 2001. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Official website of the mummy crypt
- ^ "Begraven in Wieuwerd". Nederlands dagblad (in Dutch). 6 May 1978. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Official website of the mummy crypt
External links
Media related to Wiuwert at Wikimedia Commons