Welcome to Allingawier

Welcome to Allingawier!  A beautiful, authentic Frisian “terp” village – build on a mound – in the peatland district of Southwestern Friesland.  This lush corner of Friesland is also the home of the world-famous Frisian pedigree cattle.

The village’s proximity to the sea has been both a boon to income as well as a threat. While strolling through the village you will learn more about the strong connection we share with the sea and our history as a fishing village” Earlier the village was surrounded by lakes and waterways, but now only the channel – or “opfeart” – entering the village remains.  The village is also home to a beautiful Church built on the mound during the middle ages.

You can discover some of the ancient handicrafts, the workroom of the painter and the blacksmith. The bakery and the authentic local pub ‘The ‘Meermin’ (Mermaid)’. The quintessential Frisian farm and two churches. It is here where the local folktales and legends of the Frisians villagers as a community come to life again.

Frisian folklore in a nutshell.

“Enjoy a cup of coffee with home baked pastry in the cafe or a small lunch in de farmhouse”

Below an article from Discover Benelux May 2017

The most romantic and original openair museum in Friesland tells its visitors the adventurous tale of the old fisherman’s village of Allingawier.

“Allingawier is the biography of a Frisian village,” director of the museum Hilda van der Meulen explains. “Here visitors can experience the everyday life of a Frisian village and its inhabitants during the late 19th and early 20th century.”

The picturesque village with its authentic buildings has an original 17th century farm, two charming churches, a bakery, a quaint old pub, a traditional blacksmith and many other historical sights. The surrounding nature includes a canal with old local ships along with the stunning view of the Frisian high skies.

During the summer, craftsmen show off their skills to the visitors in the local artisan shops whilst teaching more about a time when the small village was still self-sufficient.

The adventurous tales of the drainage of the Makkummer Lake and the constant danger of high water will leave visitors on the edge of their seats. It reflects how people in this part of the world are willing to live below sea level, and highlights daily life amid a landscape which is surrounded by mounds and dykes.

The Frisian Open Air Museum is run by the Aldfaers Erf Foundation. “Aldfaers Erf means the heritage of your forefather and that is exactly what we are showing our visitors. We are telling the stories of the actual people that lived here, our forefathers,” Van der Meulen explains.

With Leeuwarden in Friesland becoming the new European Capital of Culture in 2018, the future will be a time to remember for the open-air museum. The Frisian Museum Village also keeps an eye to the future, which is described by Van der Meulen as an “an exciting turn in quality”. In a few months, the beautiful renovated barns will be open for the public. Here, guests will be able to combine the romantic setting of the scenic village with the taste of a delightful meal in the allying restaurant. Guests can also decide to rent the picturesque outbuildings, a one-of-a-kind location for business meetings, parties and weddings. Various activities are organised for groups including workshops at the blacksmith, sailing on traditional boats or private tours of the museum.

Together, the unique location and the rich history are a golden combination for any occasion, event or trip in the heart of Frisian history.