Reahus: Church, Art and Routes

Reahus combines a striking church with a flat, rural landscape and routes through the surrounding villages. For your planning, it is worth looking at two distinct highlights: the architectural and artistic history of the Sint Martinuskerk and the landscape along the routes described here. Both topics offer specific points of reference for understanding Reahus as a destination.

Church and landscape

On Slachtedyk, the Sint Martinuskerk forms a monumental silhouette against the surrounding flat landscape. The Franeker Vaart borders Reahus and adds to its peaceful, rural scenery. In this way, a striking building and a nearby waterway stand out as distinct features of the area: the church shapes the skyline, while the Vaart is part of its rural character.

Architecture and art at the Sint Martinuskerk

The Sint Martinuskerk in Reahus is a Neo-Gothic pseudo-basilica dating from 1892, designed by the architect Alfred Tepe. The church houses an organ built in 1928 by the Adema brothers of Leeuwarden. It also contains a statue of Saint Martin carved from oak and dated to 1560. It is the church’s oldest art object and a unique work from the late Middle Ages.

The dates place the sculpture, the church building and the organ in chronological context: the statue is from the late Middle Ages, the building from the late 19th century and the instrument from the early 20th century. If you are interested in architecture and art, the Sint Martinuskerk offers several clearly distinct historical points of reference.

A point of reference in Catholic history

The history of the Catholic community also has a point of reference near the hamlet of Slyp. After holding services in several scattered hidden churches, the community established a permanent presence there in 1707, in a small church with a red roof. The year 1707 adds a distinct chapter to the area’s history alongside the 1892 construction date of the Sint Martinuskerk: the former date relates to the community at Slyp, the latter to the church building in Reahus.

Routes through villages and countryside

The Swalkroute langs Lytsewierrum starts in Easterein and runs for more than ten kilometres past the villages of Lytsewierrum and Reahûs. It passes through farmland where the influence of the sea is still visible in the landscape. The route thus connects several villages with a specific landscape feature.

The Three Churches Route, by contrast, starts in Reahûs and leads through meadows and the villages of Roodhuis (Reahûs), Lytsewierrum, Rien and Oosterend (Easterein). After leaving Reahûs heading north, it follows the winding Slachtedyk. The starting point is a clear difference to bear in mind when choosing a route: the Three Churches Route starts in Reahûs, while the Swalkroute starts in Easterein. Check the route conditions for the Three Churches Route before setting off.

Planning service times

Services are held at the Sint Martinuskerk on Saturday evenings at 19:00 and on Sunday mornings at 09:30. As service times may change, check the current schedule if it is important for your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Bozum, Easterlittens, Wommels, Mantgum, Weidum, Kûbaard, Easterein

For the broader travel overview: Littenseradiel.