Bolwerk

The Bolwerk is the ring of ramparts and bastions that encircles the old centre of Dokkum, a small Frisian town in the north of the Netherlands. Built in the late sixteenth century, during the Eighty Years' War, it formed part of the defences of a town that had to be ready for war. Little of that fighting is felt today. What is left is a green, quiet circuit where the earthworks have been turned into a pleasant promenade, and it ranks among the best-preserved examples of such fortifications in the north of the country.

The layout follows the classic design of the period, with a series of bastions that project from the line of the walls so that defenders could cover every approach by cross-fire. In Dokkum the plan is roughly a hexagon, and the bastions are linked by ramparts topped with trees and paths, with a moat running alongside. The moat is wide, and from the water side you can still see how the ground was shaped to make an attacker's approach difficult. The work is traditionally linked to William of Orange, the leader of the Dutch Revolt.

Today the Bolwerk is mainly a park. A walk or cycle around the whole circuit takes less than an hour, and the route passes windmills, old cannons and information panels about the town's history. The elevated paths give views over the roofs of Dokkum and out to the flat Frisian landscape of meadows and sky. The ramparts are freely accessible and are used throughout the year by joggers, dog walkers and families. In summer, events such as concerts and festivals sometimes take place in the open spaces.

Dokkum is a town with a long past. It is associated with Saint Boniface, the English missionary who was killed nearby in the year 754, and the site of his martyrdom is a short distance from the centre. The town is also one of the eleven Frisian cities connected with the Elfstedentocht, the famous skating tour held when the ice is thick enough. Museum Dokkum tells local history, and local breweries are an option for a drink after your walk.

The Bolwerk suits walkers, cyclists, history lovers and photographers, particularly at sunset when the light falls across the water. It is an easy stop on a day exploring Friesland and costs nothing to visit.