Ballum
Village
Ballum Church
Ballum Church
Location in Ameland municipality
Location in Ameland municipality
Ballum is located in Friesland
Ballum
Ballum
Location in the province of Friesland
Ballum is located in Netherlands
Ballum
Ballum
Ballum (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°26′39″N 5°41′20″E / 53.44417°N 5.68889°E / 53.44417; 5.68889
CountryNetherlands Netherlands
ProvinceFriesland Friesland
MunicipalityAmeland Ameland
Area
[1]
 • Total17.19 km2 (6.64 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
2.3 m (7.5 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total480
 • Density28/km2 (72/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9162
Dialing code0519

Ballum is a village on the western half of the island of Ameland and the smallest of the total of four villages on the island, one of the West Frisian Islands and part of the Netherlands.

History

The village was first mentioned in 1473 as "jn balnera lees: balmera buren", and means "settlement of Balle (person)".[3] Ballum is an esdorp with a triangular village square which developed in the Late Middle Ages.[4]

In the early 15th century, the castle Jelmera State was built in Ballum which later became known as Camminghaslot after the Cammingha family became owners of the island. The castle started to deteriorate and transporting stones to the island was too expensive, therefore, the island was sold to John William Friso, the Prince of Orange. Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, the current King, still uses the title "Vrijheer of Ameland" as one of his titles. In 1795, the island was confiscated, and the castle became the residence of the grietman of Ameland. In 1829, the castle was condemned and demolished. The municipal hall of Ameland was built in its place. In 1961, a new municipal hall was built.[5][6]

The bell tower was built in 1755 as a replacement of the wooden tower. It was enlarged in 1870. The Dutch Reformed church is an aisleless church which was built in 1832 to replace the medieval church which was located at a distance.[4]

Ballum was home to 289 people in 1840.[5]

The small Ameland Airport is located northwest of Ballum.[5]

People from Ballum

  • Eelke Bakker, oldest living man in the Benelux. Died 2020, aged 109.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 26 April 2022. two entries
  2. ↑ "Postcodetool for 9162AA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Ballum". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  4. 1 2 Ronald Stenvert & Sabine Broekhoven (2000). "Ballum" (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9476 4. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Ballum". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  6. ↑ Abraham Jacob van der Aa, "Aardrijkskundig woordenboek der Nederlanden", vol. 2 (B), 1840, p. 66. "Ballum".
  7. ↑ "De voorouders van de oudste man van Nederland: Eelke Bakker (1910)". Amelanders Historie (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 April 2022.

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