Langweer

Langwar
Village
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Gemeente	Scharsterland
Population
• Total	c. 960
Postcode	8525

Langweer (West Frisian: Langwar) is a village in Friesland in the municipality De Friese Meren. The town was established in 1256, and has a population of 964 (as of January 1, 2004). Langweer has a rich trading history, and it's located at a small lake (Langweerderwielen). Langweer used to only be reached by water. It was backed by swampland. In 1856 it became connected to the outside world by the Brédyk via Sint Nicolaasga. Johan Vegelinsoord of Claerbergen organized this work which involved treeplanting and drainage.

In the 1990s Langweer has become a favorite town of tourists because of its picturesque streets and watersport opportunities. One of its main events is Skutsjesilen, a sailing race that takes place every summer.

The name Langweer derives from the Frisian name Langwar. War is an old Frisian term for a parcel of land (like English ward) so the name meant long lots, for the shape of the paddocks.

The village symbol which is found on the flag is a swan, possibly derived from the right of farmers to shoot swans.

The Weversstreek was a street where weavers lived. This is the oldest part of the town. The block between Weversstreek and Stevenshoek used to be full of one room workers cottages.

Between Langweerder Wielen (the lake) and Weversstreek and the Buorren (a street) was a zone called De Greate Gaest. Originally this was a meadow. From 1907 to 1965 the Van Der Leij factory operated, drying grass, and pressing oil. This became the De Greate Gaest cafe, and later a service centre. The buildings were demolished in the 1990s to make way for a waterside housing development.

Important buildings include the Hervormde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) of Langweer built in 1777 on the site of three earlier churches. This church is unusually decorated compared to others from the 18th century, and has a swan on its spire. Inside is one of the best church organs in Friesland, constructed by Lambertus van Dam in 1784. A five paneled pulpit was preserved from the previous building. This dates from 1684 and made by Benedictus Jans. The earliest church was built around 1200, but deliberately burned down in 1517 by invaders. There was an unsuccessful attempt to rebuild from the remains. A successfully built half sized church appeared in 1663.

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Wikipedia