Dokkum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dokkum
City
, the city hall
Flag Coat of arms
Dokkum Location in Friesland
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Noardeast-Fryslân
Population
• Total	12,669
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode	9100–9103
Area code	0519

Topographic map of Dokkum, June 2014

Historical population 1718–2018

Dokkum is a cool, old city in the Netherlands. It is located in the province of Friesland. This city is famous for its well-preserved strong walls, called bolwerken. About 12,600 people live here. Dokkum is also a popular place for shopping in Friesland.

Dokkum's Past

The most famous event in Dokkum's history is about Saint Boniface. He was a missionary who was killed here in the year 754.

In 1214, a preacher named Oliver of Cologne came to Dokkum. He encouraged people to join the Fifth Crusade. Dokkum sent soldiers to help! The crescent moon on Dokkum's city flag reminds everyone of this event.

Dokkum officially became a city in 1298. This meant it had special rights. Later, in 1572, the city joined the Dutch Revolt against Spain. Because of this, Spanish soldiers attacked and looted Dokkum.

In 1597, the navy headquarters for Friesland was set up in Dokkum. It was called the Admiralty of Friesland. But in 1645, it moved to Harlingen. In 1971, Dokkum was recognized as a special 'Urban and village conservation area'. This helps protect its historic look.

Boniface Park

In 1923, a special park was built in Dokkum. It is called the Boniface Park. At that time, Catholics in the Netherlands were not allowed to have public religious parades. So, they built this park for quiet walks and reflection.

In the park, there is a well called the Brouwersbron. Some people believed it was the well that appeared after Saint Boniface died. A chapel dedicated to Boniface was built there in 1934.

A priest named Titus Brandsma helped design the park's Stations of the Cross. These are a series of images showing Jesus's last day. They were finished in 1949. Titus Brandsma was later killed by the Nazis in 1942.

Buildings and Design

Dokkum City Hall

The city hall in Dokkum is a very old building. It was built way back in 1610.

Churches in Dokkum

Dokkum has several important churches:

• The Grote of Sint-Martinuskerk was built in the 16th century.
• The Sint-Bonifatiuskerk was built in 1871.
• The Bonifatiuskapel, which is in the Boniface Park, was built in 1934.

Getting Around Dokkum

Dokkum used to have a train station called Dokkum-Aalsum. It opened in 1901. Passenger trains stopped running there in 1936, then started again briefly, and finally stopped for good in 1942. Freight trains stopped in 1975. Today, Dokkum still has a bus station for public transport.

City Growth

Dokkum is always growing and changing! The newest neighborhood is called 'Trije Terpen'. This area also has a new shopping center called Zuiderschans. Other parts of the city are also getting new buildings. These include areas like Lyceumpark and Hogedijken.

The industrial park, Betterwird, is also expanding. It's a big area with more than 70 companies. In 2013, a new road called the Central Axis was started. This road connects Dokkum to Drachten quickly. It was finished in 2016.

How Many People Live Here?

The number of people living in Dokkum has grown a lot over the years. Between 1960 and 2013, the population increased by over 5,000 people! In recent years, the population has stayed around 12,500 people.

Sports in Dokkum

Dokkum is famous in the world of ice skating! It's a key point in the 200 km Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour). This is a huge ice skating marathon. Dokkum is the "turning-point" where skaters turn around and head back to Leeuwarden.

The city also has two soccer clubs: VV Dokkum and Be Quick Dokkum.

Dokkum's Windmills

Long ago, in 1652, Dokkum had five windmills. Today, Dokkum has two beautiful windmills that are still standing. They are called Zeldenrust and De Hoop. You can visit both of them if you make an appointment.

There was a third mill, De Marmeerin, outside the town. In 2014, this mill was moved to be fixed up. After it's restored, it will be rebuilt at an open-air museum in Damwâld.

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  Zeldenrust

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  De Hoop

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  Zeldenrust

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  A house next to the Zeldenrust mill

Famous People from Dokkum

Many interesting people have connections to Dokkum:

• Catharina Geertruida Schrader (1656–1746) was a pioneering midwife who lived and worked here for many years.
• Gemma Frisius (1508-1555) was a scientist.
• Lieuwe van Aitzema (1600-1669) was a diplomat and historian.
• Ulrik Huber (1636-1694) was a lawyer.
• Rein Jan Hoekstra (1941) is a lawyer and a member of the Council of State of the Netherlands.
• Jan Posthuma (1963) won an Olympic gold medal in volleyball in 1996.
• Sipke Jan Bousema (1976) is a TV-presenter.
• Theo Pijper (1980) is an international speedway rider.
• Saint Boniface (672-754) was a missionary.
• Dirk Rafaelsz Camphuysen (1586-1627) was a painter and poet.
• Focko Ukena (1370 – 1435) was an East Frisian chieftain who conquered Dokkum.

Mayors of Dokkum

Here are some of the people who have been mayors of Dokkum:

• Albert Jonker (1878- 1954)
• Sybren van Tuinen (1913-1993)

Gallery

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  Inner harbor

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  View to a street

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  City's center around De Zijl, with the Dokkumer Grootdiep river

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  Old townhouse in the city centre

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  Statue of Saint Boniface near Saint Boniface Chapel

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  Many footbridges in the center of Dokkum

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  Wharf of the former Frisian Admiralty

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  Saint Boniface Church (built in 1871) in the center of Dokkum

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  Grote of Sint-Martinus Church (Dokkum)

See also

In Spanish: Dokkum para niños