Discover Jannum: church, terp landscape and culture

Jannum combines a Romanesque-Gothic church on a terp with the Kerkmuseum, historic walking routes and an open cultural landscape. The terp village dates back to long before the beginning of our era; Jannum is also designated as a protected village landscape. A farm shop run by Van Fûgelsang complements these local features with products such as Jannumer cheese. The choice of location therefore puts history, landscape and specific routes front and centre. Depending on whether you are looking for architecture, the open cultural landscape or a walk, your stay can focus on different aspects.

Church, Kerkmuseum and local history

Jannum’s church is a Romanesque-Gothic hall church on a terp. The terp village dates back to long before the beginning of our era. The early settlement history and the church’s architectural style are distinct historical features that shape Jannum. The village is also designated as a protected village landscape. Since 1947, the Kerkmuseum Jannum has been housed in the church; the building is no longer used as a church. Its architectural style, location on a terp, protected village landscape and changed use of the building thus come together. If you are interested in the village’s cultural history, these features offer several specific points of connection, from the church building to the long history of the terp village.

Terps and open cultural landscape

The area around Jannum lies in the clay region on the north-west side of the Ee in Noardeast-Fryslân. It is an open, expansive historic cultural landscape, its relief shaped by terps and lower-lying ditches. Jannum is one of the Flieterpen: artificially raised refuge mounds made from waste, where people sought shelter in wetter times in the past. The Flieterpen connect the landforms with their former protective function; the lower-lying ditches are another feature of the landscape described here. Alongside the church, this gives the landscape its own historical focus.

Historic walking routes compared

Historic walking route 44 Hegebeintum–Jannum is 6 km long and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It starts in Jannum at the Kerkmuseum. Walking route 43 Waaxens–Jannum is 7 km long and takes about 1.5 hours. It runs along the Holwerder Vaart to the Holwerdertille Bridge. There, it passes near the Dokkumer Ee and about 1 km from Jannum. Route 44 is therefore the shorter of the two walks described: it is 1 km shorter, and its estimated duration is around 15 minutes less than that of Route 43.

The fourth stage of the Klooster Claercamppad also leads to Jannum, along a gently rising brick-paved road. The routes therefore differ in the features described: Route 44 is notable for starting at the Kerkmuseum, Route 43 runs alongside the Holwerder Vaart, and the fourth stage is characterised by the rising brick-paved road. The lengths and approximate durations of the two walks can be compared directly; the brick-paved road offers a different point of reference for the stage to Jannum.

Jannumer cheese and farm shop

The milk from Van Fûgelsang’s own Jersey cows is the basis for Jannumer cheese. Van Fûgelsang’s farm shop offers, among other things, Jannumer cheese, ice cream and “honest meat”. The selection may change. Alongside the church, settlement history and walking routes, these products add another dimension to the area’s local character.

Assessing Jannum as a hotel destination

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