Gaastmeer

Gaastmeer (West Frisian: De Gaastmar) is a village in Súdwest-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of 295 in January 2017.^[3]

Gaastmeer De Gaastmar
Village
Gaastmeer, reformed church: de Pieltsjerke
Flag Coat of arms
Location in the former Wymbritseradiel municipality
Gaastmeer Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Gaastmeer Gaastmeer (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°57′54″N 5°32′38″E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Súdwest-Fryslân
Area [1]
• Total	6.69 km2 (2.58 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	−0.4 m (−1.3 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	280
• Density	42/km2 (110/sq mi)
Postal code	8611[1]
Dialing code	0515

History

The village was first mentioned in 1245 as Gersmere, and used to mean "grassland near water", however erroneously evolved into gaast meaning higher land.^[4] Gaastmeer was an isolated village between the Fluessen [nl] and the Groote Gaastmeer [nl]. It was well connected via water, but had no road connections. It used to be a fishing village, and used to specialise in European eel. During the 18th and 19th century, the fishermen of Gaastmeer and neighbouring Heeg used to have their own wharf in London.^[5]

Gaastmeer was home to 95 people in 1840.^[6] The Protestant Church dates from the 19th century and was rebuilt in 1953. The wooden tower was constructed in 1940.^[6] From 1962 onwards, many recreational homes were built in Gaastmeer.^[5]

Before 2011, the village was part of the Wymbritseradiel municipality.^[6]

Gallery

• 
  Monumentaal house
• 
  Ditch in the polder landscape near the village