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Resistance, hiding and food aid

(32.5 km)

The experience route in the vicinity of Bolsward and Sneek is a 44-kilometer-long bike ride along 12 places that tell more about the resistance, the people in hiding and food aid in the province of Friesland. You visit the cultural-historical Center De Tiid, the Titus Bransma Monument, Gerbrandy Monument in Sneek and the monument for a crashed English Halifax Bomber.

You start this cycling route at the Cultural-historical Center de Tiid in Bolsward. In this monumental town hall complex, the past comes to life in a special collection of presentations and remarkable key figures such as resistance fighter Titus Brandsma.
At the Titus Brandsmalaan in Bolsward you w…

The experience route in the vicinity of Bolsward and Sneek is a 44-kilometer-long bike ride along 12 places that tell more about the resistance, the people in hiding and food aid in the province of Friesland. You visit the cultural-historical Center De Tiid, the Titus Bransma Monument, Gerbrandy Monument in Sneek and the monument for a crashed English Halifax Bomber.

You start this cycling route at the Cultural-historical Center de Tiid in Bolsward. In this monumental town hall complex, the past comes to life in a special collection of presentations and remarkable key figures such as resistance fighter Titus Brandsma.
At the Titus Brandsmalaan in Bolsward you will find the bust of Titus Brandsma. He was arrested by the Germans in January 1942 for his resistance against the German occupier, National Socialism and for freedom of the press. After being placed in prison in Scheveningen and camp Amersfoort, he eventually died in Dachau concentration camp.

On December 22 1943, an American bomber crashed on the Cnossenlaan in Bolsward. Ten crew members were killed. In May 2008, a memorial was unveiled in memory of the American crew members. You can read more about this event during this cycling tour.
You will also cycle past the Liberation Monument for the Canadian Perth Regiment that was stationed in Sneek after the German capitulation in May 1945. Via the birthplace of Titus Brandsma you end up again at the Cultural-historical Center de Tiid.

Have fun cycling!

Sights on this route

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

Museum De Tiid, in the former historic town hall in Bolsward, shows the fascinating history of Southwest Fryslân. Take your time for the interactive presentations and feast your eyes in the photogenic council chamber, on the steps and in the city hall tow

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

Bolsward (Boalsert)

Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.

Visit Bolsward

Bolsward (Boalsert) Bolsward Broerekerk

Titus Brandsma monument

Father Titus Brandsma, priest and professor at the Catholic University of Nijmegen, died in 1942 in Dachau concentration camp because he urged Catholic newspapers not to publish Nazi propaganda.

Titus Brandsma monument

Airmen Monument Bolsward

On December 22, 1942, the American B-24 bomber B24-445TH BG (Snow Goose) takes off from Tibenham, Norfolk, Britain to bomb a railway yard in Osnabrück.

Airmen Monument Bolsward

Memorial De Hoanne

In 1946 the municipality of Wymbritseradiel appointed a committee to realize a war memorial to commemorate the fallen of the Second World War and to keep the liberation alive.

Memorial De Hoanne
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Sneek (Snits)

Sneek, or Snits as we say in Friesland, is the water sports city of the Netherlands. But Sneek is more than water sports and the Sneekweek. The city is bustling with events, culture, unique hotspots, and nice shops.

Visit Sneek

Sneek (Snits) Waterpoort Sneek

Jewish Memorial Sneek

The German invasion in May 1940 heralded the start of the persecution of the Jews in the Netherlands and the municipality of Sneek. On October 1, 1941, 68 Jews were registered in the municipality and surroundings.

Jewish Memorial Sneek

The Waag building is on fire

On Saturday 14 April 1945, the Germans slowly withdraw from Sneek. To prevent the German ammunition stocks from falling into the hands of the Allies, the Germans decided to set fire to the monumental Waaggebouw on the corner of Marktstraat and Leeuwenburg

The Waag building is on fire

Gerbrandy Memorial Sneek

This monument in Sneek commemorates Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy. This Frisian Reformed farmer's son was Prime Minister of the Netherlands during the Second World War.

Gerbrandy Memorial Sneek
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Liberation Monument (Canadian) Perth regiment

In contrast to the British and American troops,the Canadians remained in the Netherlands for a long time–the latter did not repatriate until February 1946.The Canadian Perth regiment was supposed to be stationed in Sneek until the end of the summer of '45

Liberation Monument (Canadian) Perth regiment
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Birthplace Titus Brandsma

On February 23, 1881, Anno Sjoerd Brandsma was born in the Ugo Monastery, near Bolsward. He was the fifth of six children, five of whom would enter the monastery.

Birthplace Titus Brandsma Oegeklooster bord

Drama in Marnezijl

On April 14, 1945, Marnezijl witnessed a terrible execution near Bolsward. As a reprisal for the death of a German soldier, three men were executed at the transformer house on the Makkumervaart.

Drama in Marnezijl
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Plaque Blauwpoortsbrug

Before the Liberation, large groups of German soldiers left Friesland. With carts, bicycles and a lot of stuff it was a real exodus. It was not always clear to the Germans where to go.

Plaque Blauwpoortsbrug
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Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

Museum De Tiid, in the former historic town hall in Bolsward, shows the fascinating history of Southwest Fryslân. Take your time for the interactive presentations and feast your eyes in the photogenic council chamber, on the steps and in the city hall tow

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'
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