In Raerd, historic buildings and parkland meet art walks and routes through the surrounding area. Jongemastate Park is home to a preserved entrance gate dating from 1603; the Laurentiuskerk combines a building from 1815 with Rococo interior furnishings from around 1765. There are also walking and cycling routes, as well as the Moesel, which is accessible only by canoe. For planning purposes, it helps to distinguish these offerings by their character: some lead to individual cultural landmarks, while others focus on the landscape and outdoor activities.

Building History and Art in Raerd

The Laurentiuskerk stands high on a terp. The church building dates from 1815, while its Rococo interior furnishings date from around 1765. The two dates therefore refer to different parts of the church: the furnishings are older than the building they are housed in. If you enjoy relating architecture to historic design during a stay, you will find a concrete comparison here, without reducing both to the same period.

Another trace of the village’s history leads to Jongemastate Park. Old trees, distinctive stinzen flora and a medieval entrance gate shape the parkland. The preserved gate dates from 1603. Here, natural features and a dated architectural landmark stand side by side. The park is open year-round; the shell path around the castle moat is easy to navigate in a wheelchair. This information applies to the park and the path mentioned.

You can discover art in Raerd independently on a walk featuring 14 large-format reproductions of drawings by Taeke Stellingwerf. The works are located at various spots in the village, and visitors can follow the art walk on their own. This sets it apart from a single building: the artworks are spread across several locations in the village. Another memorial is the war monument at the entrance to the N.H. Church in Raerd.

Routes and Landscape Around Raerd

The Slachtedyk is a cultural-historical landscape monument and also a walking and cycling route from Oosterbierum to Raerd. Almost the entire Slachtedyk is freely accessible to pedestrians and cyclists; seasonal conditions may affect access. This caveat is important when planning a trip. The route is also notable from an ecological perspective: it provides a habitat for many plants and insects, including rare plant species. The Slachtedyk thus combines a route with a landscape that provides a habitat for a diverse range of plants and insects.

There is also a walking route on nature trails around Raerd. The village is also on the Jabiksroute. These options offer different ways to explore the area on foot; the Slachtedyk is described in more detail by its role as a walking and cycling route and its connection between Oosterbierum and Raerd. When choosing your activities, you can distinguish between the specific Slachtedyk route and a walk on nature trails.

The Moesel offers a different way to get around: it winds through Raerd and is accessible only by canoe. This sets it apart from routes for pedestrians and cyclists. An art walk, walking trails and a water route are not interchangeable options; each has a different focus. The combination of the church, park and village art on the one hand, and routes through the landscape on the other, gives you a basis for planning your stay around your interests, without combining every destination into a single tour.

Discover more destinations: Warten, Grou, Aldeboarn, Terherne, Akkrum, Jirnsum.

Return to the broader travel guide: Boarnsterhim.