Eastrum

Eastrum (Dutch: Oostrum) is a village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 188 in January 2017.^[3] Before 2019, the village was part of the Dongeradeel municipality.^[4]

Eastrum
Village
Flag Coat of arms
Location in the former Dongeradeel municipality
Eastrum Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Eastrum Eastrum (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°19′50″N 6°3′40″E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Noardeast-Fryslân
Area [1]
• Total	4.26 km2 (1.64 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	0.5 m (1.6 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	190
• Density	45/km2 (120/sq mi)
Postal code	9125[1]
Dialing code	0519

History

The village was first mentioned in 1449 as Aesterma, and means "eastern settlement".^[5] Eastrum is a terp (artificial living mound) village from the Middle Ages. The terp is 4.5 metres (15 ft) tall, but a large part has been excavated around 1900. The Dutch Reformed church dates from the 16th century, but has a 13th-century tower.^[4]

Mellema State was a castle-like stins which probably dated from the 14th century. About 80% of the area around Eastrum was owned by the Mellemas. In 1735, it was demolished and reused to build Heemstra State in Oentsjerk.^[6]

In 1840, Eastrum was home to 295 people.^[4] In 2006, artefacts were discovered in the terp during an archaeological exploration dating from 3400 to 2850 BC.^[7]

The village's official name was changed from Oostrum to Eastrum in 2023.^[8][9]

Gallery

• 
  Drawing of Mellema State
• 
  Brickworks