Moddergat

Moddergat is a fishing village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 221 in January 2017.^[3] Before 2019, the village was part of the Dongeradeel municipality.^[4]

Moddergat
Village
View from the seaside
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname:  Blabberpoepert
Location in the former Dongeradeel municipality
Moddergat Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Moddergat Moddergat (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°24′7″N 6°4′57″E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Noardeast-Fryslân
Area [1]
• Total	1.91 km2 (0.74 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	1.1 m (3.6 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	235
• Density	120/km2 (320/sq mi)
Postal code	9142[1]
Dialing code	0519

The name of the village means 'mud hole' in Dutch and in West Frisian.^[5] Moddergat is twinned with Peazens, and they are often referred to as "Peazens-Moddergat".^[6][4]

In 1883, 17 of the 22 ships of Moddergat were lost at sea during a storm killing 83 fishermen. In 1958, a monument was placed on the sea dike in their honour.^[7]

In 2004, NCRV television organized a competition for most beautiful place in the Netherlands. Moddergat came in second after Weerribben-Wieden National Park.^[4]

History

The village was first mentioned in 1718 as Modde gat, and is supposed to mean "muddy pool".^[8] The village of Peazens was founded first on the new dike along the Wadden Sea. Moddergat was founded later from Peazens, and used to consist of two hamlets: De Kamp and De Oere. The Reformed Church was built in 1912 with a wooden tower.^[6]

In 1840, Moddergat was home to 220 people. Moddergat used to belong to the municipality of Westdongeradeel and Peazens to Oostdongeradeel. In 1983, the municipalities merged.^[4]

Activities

Museum 't Fiskershúske consists of four fishermen's houses, the oldest of which is from 1794, and gives a display of the life and history of the fishers in Moddergat.^[9]

Moddergat is one of the starting points for wadlopen (mudflat hiking). At low tide, it is possible to walk to the island of Schiermonnikoog.^[10] Mudflat hiking is potentially dangerous, and is only allowed under the supervision of a licensed guide.^[11]

Gallery

• 
  Boethuisje [nl], place to leave the fishing nets
• 
  House in Moddergat
• 
  Fisher's monument
• 
  Sunset on the Wadden Sea