Nicolaas Church
The Nicolaaskerk in Swichum was originally dedicated to Nicholas of Myra. The church stands on a mound that was largely excavated at the beginning of the twentieth century. It has beautiful round windows, a piscina, a hagioscope and a hidden gate.
About this building
Swichum was originally a natural increase in the middle of marshes and lakes. In the tenth century Swichum got a permanent connection with Goutum and Leeuwarden through the construction of a dyke. This church is one of the earliest brick churches in Friesland. It has beautiful arched windows, a piscina, a hagioscope and a hidden gate. Support bears have been built against the choir. During the restoration in 1996-1997 one of them was removed, because it undermined more than it supported. On the remaining stump is a cover plate with the text: "Here was a bear, he is no longer". The rhyme is barely readable twenty years later. The church and tower show all kinds of traces of the history in which the family of the principal Wigle van Aytta played an important role. The saddleback roof tower dates from the fourteenth century and was bricked in 1882 with a small stone that had to be almost completely renewed during the restoration in 1997/1998. There are two clocks, one from 1438 and a clock by Geert van Wou jr. from 1548. Thanks to the inscriptions on these bells, it is known that Saint Nicholas and Catherine, the patroness of virgins and philosophers, were the patron saints of this church. Many weddings are closed in Swichum since the church is one of the official wedding locations of Leeuwarden. One in ten weddings then also confirm their marriage with a self-admitted pastor, because Swichum is no longer under a church congregation. Baptism or funeral services can be organized in the same way. Cultural activities also take place regularly. For the website of the church, click here.
