Holiday apartment in Smallingerland – Culture, waterways and nature

Smallingerland reveals unusual connections between art, crafts, water and marshy nature within a compact area. In Drachten, the spectrum ranges from a De Stijl house and a shipyard with a long tradition to waterways that bring water sports enthusiasts close to the town centre. Between Oudega, De Veenhoop and the landscapes of Friesland, this creates a varied picture of cultural sites, cycling routes and nature areas.

Culture

The Van Doesburg-Rinsemahuis in Drachten is a museum house and Rijksmonument, as well as a venue for presenting contemporary artists. Visitors can walk through the house and experience how the De Stijl movement used colour and space in an ordinary home. The Kloosterkerk Kortehemmen provides a historical counterpart: it was part of the Benedictine monastery of Smelna in nearby Smalle Ee. The church dates from the 13th century, was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style and has a freestanding belfry instead of a tower. The volunteer committee organises smaller concerts, exhibitions and lectures there.

The history of water management and shipbuilding also remains visible. De Modderige Bol drained around 55 hectares of the Adamse polder until 1952. At the mill, parts of the lower tower were made of oak wood from trees felled around 1736. Scheepsbouw O.H. van der Werff is the only remaining shipyard in Drachten where skûtsjes are built; they have been built at this site since 1710. At Van der Werff in Drachten, sloops can be rented for five people.

Nature

Kraanlannen is a unique wetland and marsh area managed by It Fryske Gea, with peat excavations, swamp forest and formations of narrow strips of land. At the same time, the marshy nature area lies on the edge of De Alde Feanen National Park. Otters and more than 60 species of breeding birds live there.

Oudega lies between De Alde Feanen National Park and the De Noardlike Fryske Wâlden national landscape. Hiking tours take place in Oudega every year. A broader connection is provided by the Lits-Lauwersmeer route: since 2008, it has connected De Alde Feanen National Park in central Friesland with Lauwersmeer National Park or nature area on the Wadden Sea coast.

Water and routes

The reopened Drachtstervaart allows water sports enthusiasts to travel to near the centre of Drachten and moor in the visitors' harbour. Boats with an air draught of up to 2.95 metres and a draught of up to 1.40 metres are permitted. The small De Grietman ferry operates between De Veenhoop and Hooidammen for cyclists and pedestrians; it crosses the Wide Ie in just a few minutes.

Named routes also connect various parts of the area on land. The Turfroute includes cycling sections for De Veenhoop and De Alde Feanen National Park, as well as for Drachten and the surrounding area. The Fietsfoodtour Smallingerland is a culinary cycling route through the municipality of Smallingerland, partly deviates from the cycle junction network and uses a ferry. Simmerdeis is a cultural summer festival in Drachten and Smallingerland.

Orientation

The Toeristisch Informatie Punt TIP Drachten at Museum Dr8888 offers route maps, city walks and visitor tips. Drachten is also home to the farm shop of Frambozenboerderij, which aims to offer fresh, sustainably grown vegetables and fruit.

Other places

Other places in Smallingerland: Oudega, Drachten, Houtigehage, De Tike, De Veenhoop, Oudega Gem Smallingerlnd, Rottevalle, Goëngahuizen.

For the higher-level travel overview: Friesland.