Makkum, Wûnseradiel
| Makkum | ||
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| Village | ||
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| Country |
 Netherlands
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| Province |
 Friesland
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| commune | Súdwest-Fryslân | |
| Population | ||
| • Total | c. 3,500 | |
Makkum is a village of Súdwest-Fryslân municipality, west of Bolsward on the banks of the lake IJsselmeer in the province Friesland of the Netherlands. With 3500 citizens (2007) it was the largest village of the former municipally Wûnseradiel. North and south of Makkum are nature reserves Noardwaard and Súdwaard. Belonging to Makkum is the hamlet Ingwier.
Historically Makkum is a fishing village. In the 20th century it started receiving tourists.
The Sint Maarten terp is over a thousand years old. It housed the rural village Mackum with its church. In the 16th century a town arose south of the village called Statum. Here freight ships passing through the locks had to pay tolls. Most of these ships were heading for Bolsward. After the Middle Ages both villages grew together. The current church was built in 1660.
Makkum was known as the gateway to the Zuiderzee for its locks which were owned by the neighboring monastery. This strategic position meant Makkum could develop to an important centre of trade.
The Golden Age of Makkum started in the 17th century and lasted until the 18th century. Makkum became an important center of trade and industry, including brick works, wind-powered saw-, oil-, paper-, and pealing mills, ship yards and seashell lime kilns. The lime kiln industry was the major pillar of Makkums prosperity employing many people. The high quality quicklime produced was amongst others used in house construction in Amsterdam. Transport of base materials and end products was by ship which caused shipping and ship construction to flourish. Seashell fishing was of importance next to common fisheries.
The coat of arms of Makkum shows a golden mermaid carrying a sailing vessel in her right hand and a lime kiln in her left. The 19th century brought economical decline caused by the siltation of the Zuiderzee which made the harbor of Makkum unreachable. Only shipyards and potteries remained.
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Wikipedia