Raerd

Raerd (Dutch: Rauwerd) is a village in Súdwest-Fryslân municipality in the province Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 630 in January 2017.^[3]

Rauwerd Raerd
Village
Flag Coat of arms
Location in the former Boarnsterhim municipality
Rauwerd Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Rauwerd Rauwerd (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°5′53″N 5°45′33″E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Súdwest-Fryslân
Area [1]
• Total	7.67 km2 (2.96 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	−0.1 m (−0.3 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	660
• Density	86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Postal code	9012[1]
Dialing code	0566

History

The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Rawertham, and means "terp covered in reed".^[4] In the 11th or 12th century, a dike was built along the Moezel [nl] river.^[4] Raerd is a terp (artificial living hill) village with a radial structure dating from the early middle ages.^[5] The village was located near the former Middelzee.^[6]

The Dutch Reformed church was built in 1814 as a replacement of its medieval predecessor.^[5] When the stins Jongema State was built is unknown, but it was destroyed in 1515 by Saxon mercenaries, however the gate house remains. A 19th century villa is located at the former stins, but it is still surrounded by a double moat.^[7] The forest around the estate are currently owned by It Fryske Gea [nl] and is a park with a large colony of rooks and herons.^[6] The park has limited access during breeding season.^[8]

Raerd was home to 549 people in 1840.^[8] Before 2011, the village was part of the Boarnsterhim municipality and before 1984 it was the seat of Rauwerdhem municipality.^[8]

Gallery

• 
  Church of Raerd
• 
  Former town hall of Rauwerdhem
• 
  Gate of Jonhema State
• 
  Houses in Raerd (1968)
• 
  Laurentius Church (National Monument).