When considering Scharmer as a destination, you can weigh two main interests: the history of the village and the surrounding landscape. The village’s history includes a church mentioned in early records, a gravestone that was re-erected, the earthworks of the former Veenborg, and the buildings along Hoofdweg. Nearby, there is an ecological corridor and paths with different points of reference. This variety helps you tailor your stay to your interests: architectural and local history, or paths through the landscape.

Church, gravestone, and traces of the past

The church in Scharmer was first mentioned in the first half of the 13th century; a new brick church was built in 1296. After the church was demolished in 1824, residents were expected to attend church in neighboring Harkstede. After the demolition, Atke van Douma’s gravestone was re-erected in the former churchyard, having been removed from the church floor. Atke van Douma died in 1605. The stone bears a reclining figure, known as a gisant. The term refers to a reclining tomb effigy. The dates refer to different events: 1296 marks the construction of the brick church, while 1605 marks Atke’s death. This makes it possible to distinguish between the history of the church’s construction, the subsequent move to the church in Harkstede, and the remembrance of one individual.

Veenborg and Hoofdweg

The former Veenborg in Scharmer is marked in the landscape by a large earthwork. The highest plateau of this earthwork marks the former site of the manor house. Two features should therefore be distinguished: the earthwork marks the former Veenborg, while the plateau within it marks the site of the manor house. At number 70 Hoofdweg is a former vicarage with a Sunday school. Hoofdweg is lined mainly with workers’ houses and town houses; most of these date from the first half of the 20th century. These residential and community buildings add to the historic points of interest around the church and former manor house.

Landscape and paths

The Westerbroek ecological corridor lies near Scharmer, between Scharmer and Westerbroek. There is also an observation point about eight metres high. A walking path connects to an existing path along Scharmerplas and Borgmeren. The “Rondje Dannemeer en Scharmer Ae” route runs between Schaaphok and Woudbloem, along the Scharmer Ae. The paths can be distinguished by their descriptions: the first connects to an existing path, while the named route is identified by the villages of Schaaphok and Woudbloem and its course along the Scharmer Ae. They therefore offer different points of reference for planning.

Choose a focus for your stay

If you are considering Scharmer as a place to stay, let your priorities guide your decision: are you especially interested in traces of the past, or would you like to include the landscape and walking paths? When considering the paths, it helps to look at the points of reference mentioned for each one, rather than treating them as interchangeable options. This lets you focus your accommodation search on what matters for your trip, without assuming a particular order for your visits.

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