Terwispel

Terwispel is a village in the municipality of Opsterland in the east of Friesland, the Netherlands. Its neighbouring villages are Tijnje (west), Nij Beets (north-west), Beetsterzwaag (north), Lippenhuizen (south-east), Gorredijk (South), Langezwaag (south-west) and Luxwoude (also south-west). It had a population of around 1,020 in January 2017.^[3]

Terwispel
Village
Terwispel church
Coat of arms
Location in Opsterland municipality
Terwispel Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Terwispel Terwispel (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°01′08″N 6°2′51″E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Opsterland
Area [1]
• Total	16.55 km2 (6.39 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	−0.7 m (−2.3 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	1,000
• Density	60/km2 (160/sq mi)
Postal code	8407[1]
Dialing code	0513
Website	Official

History

In the 11th century Terwispel was founded as a colony for peat digging in the woods of South-east Fryslân. This was essential to the economy of most of The Netherlands as dried peat called turf was the most common fuel. However, as the diggers turned further east into Drenthe, Terwispel lost her prosperity. At that time Terwispel was much larger than it is nowadays, for also present day neighbouring village Tijnje was part of the Terwispel community.

At the beginning of the 20th century, when the first motorways appeared, and plans were made for the motorway A7 to be laid through this town, Terwispel split up into Tijnje and Terwispel as it now remains.

Gallery

• 
  Canal at Terwispel
• 
  Bridge at Terwispel