The best traffic-free bike rides around Opmeer

⚓️

Wadway is located between the villages of Spanbroek and Wognum. The heart of the village is located in the municipality of Opmeer. Although it is an independent core, it is sometimes subdivided under the larger places. In that view, the part in the municipality of Opmeer is counted as part of the village of Spanbroek and the part in the municipality of Medemblik as part of the village of Wognum. Until January 1, 2007, the part in the municipality of Medemblik fell under the municipality of Wognum, which itself merged into the municipality of Medemblik at that time. The place is quite old, in the 11th century the place is probably already mentioned, as Wadweide. In a bailiff's account from 1311 it appears as Watwey. The place name is a combination of Wad, which means 'fordable place' and weide (meadow). In addition, another story is often told in the region about the naming of the village; when names were given in the North Holland head in the 11th century, one street remained, between Spanbroek and Opmeer, which was not allowed to enjoy an official title. Thereupon the inhabitants went to the town hall and shouted "Wad way?!" (West Frisian for; "What we?!"). In the period 1414-1426 the village of Wadway together with Hauwert, Nibbixwoud and Wognum, formed the city "Wognum". In 1426 privileges of this rural town were declared forfeited and in 1436 the villages were brought under the jurisdiction of Hoorn, this lasted until March 1811 (with the exception of the period 1795-1804). For some time the 'city of Wadway' was an independent rural town with high, middle and low jurisdiction and administered the impost on marriage and burial itself. Wadway is nationally known for Theaterkerk Wadway, a church building where a theater is located. The church itself, the Magdalena Kerk, dates from 1547. In the fifties of the twentieth century, the church fell into disrepair. It became a theater church after the attic of Harry van Scherpenberg from Hoorn became too small to play theater for the audience that wanted to see that theater and was looking for a new space. The Wadway Foundation was established for the church in 1966, which had to both restore the church and make the church ideal enough for the theater art. In September, the church was officially opened as a theater. Soon the theater church became notorious until it was ultimately popular and loved by audiences and artists. For example, Neerlands Hoop in Bange Dagen held its try-outs here around 1970. In the village, a fair with tractor ring riding is held every year in the third weekend of July and an autocross is organized in September.

It's often windy on the dike, but if you make sure you're facing the right direction, it's a very pleasant route. Even in summer, when flies and mosquitoes are plentiful, always try to ride with the wind at your back.

cool boat

Unfortunately closed

Organ concert in the Bonifasius Church

Radboud Castle is located directly on the harbor of Medemblik and was built around 1288 by order of Floris V as a fortress to keep the region under control. Two wings, several towers and parts of the contours of the original castle are still visible, giving you a good idea of the medieval layout. An interesting stop during your walk, especially for those interested in the history of West Friesland and the role of castles in the landscape.

Delicious coffee with apple pie at a café with terrace at the drawbridge