Village in Friesland, Netherlands
Wier is a village in Waadhoeke municipality in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of 210 in January 2017.[3]
History
The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as Werue, and means terp (artificial living hill).[4] The terp probably dates from the beginning of our era and was located on the outskirts of the Middelzee. It was originally a fishing village, and was connected to Berlikum via a canal.[5]
The Dutch Reformed church was built in the 12th century. The tower dates from 1881. The church was restored in 2012. The church contains a unique astrarium which was created by an onderduiker (person in hiding) during World War II and donated to the church in 1946.[6]
The stins Lauta State was first mentioned in 1192. Around 1740, it was owned by Horatius Hiddema van Knijff, the grietman (mayor/judge) of Menaldumadeel. The population considered the taxes in the grietenij too high, and van Knijff was accused of conspiring with the French. On the night of 1 to 2 June 1748, there was a revolt and the angry population burnt down the estate. Van Knijff managed to flee. Only the tower remained standing until c. 1900 when it was demolished.[7]
When the Middelzee started to retreat, Wier turned into an agricultural community.[5] Wier was home to 258 people in 1840.[6] In 1981, a radar post was built in Wier as part of the NATO Integrated Air Defense System. In 2021, the installation was renewed, and the old tower was replaced.[8]
Before 2018, the village was part of the Menameradiel municipality.[6]
