SPEND YOUR HOLIDAY
IN A HISTORY BOOK.
THE STORY OF HUNS 16
Our holiday home in the village of Húns is a worker's house from 1842 with a rich history. In the vicinity of our holiday home, in times gone by, there was a roof tile factory that played an important role in the local economy. Read more about the previous residents of our summer house and what exactly was the function of our beautiful kitchen in the past.
THE VILLAGE OF HÚNS
Húns is a charming village in the municipality of Leeuwarden with a protected village view. The village is surrounded by vast meadows and picturesque waterways. One of the most striking sights in Húns is the 13th century church, which is an important historical monument. The village has a rich history and used to be the location of a brick factory, where the local clay was used to make roof tiles and bricks. This industrial activity has left its mark on the village, which contributes to the unique charm of Húns.
THE PAST OF HUNS
Húns was once situated on a mound. This man-made hill was used as a defensive structure against flooding. But where does the name Húns come from? And where did the mound go? Why is the village of Húns no longer connected to the Bolswardertrekvaart? And why did the region around the village become isolated in the second half of the 19th century? We have investigated it for you.
THE 13TH CENTURY CHURCH
Look out the window of your holiday home and you will see the St. Nicholas Church of Húns. This beautiful building from the 13th century stands proudly on a mound that has largely been excavated.
Monasterybricks
The church has a single-nave structure. On the south side you see 19th century plasterwork. On other slices you can still see the original yellow monastery jokes with a hint of red.
The tower
The tower also has a story. It was once a gable roof tower, but now it is a wooden gable tower with a modest spire that was adapted in the 18th century. In the tower hangs a bell from 1619, cast by Hans Falck.
Historic interior
Inside, oil hanging lamps from the 19th century decorate the space. There are sculpted gravestones on the ground, including a priest's gravestone from 1577. The wooden barrel vault above your head creates a warm atmosphere. The pulpit, baptismal gate and men's pews date from the 17th century.
Organ of two villages
The organ is a special addition. It was made by Willem Hardorff around 1875 and only placed in the church in 1961. Before that, the organ stood in the Catharina Church in Leons.
National Monument
The St. Nicholas Church is a national monument (number 8484). Today this church belongs to the Protestant Community of Hilaard, Húns and Leons. The church reflects the rich medieval history of Friesland.
HUINSERMILL
The Huinsermolen in Húns has a rich history. And it started in 1829. Mill maker Lieuwe Johannes van der Meulen from Leeuwarden then built the mill. This coincided with the creation of the Huins polder. Several smaller polders were then merged.
Replacement for five smaller mills
The Huinsermolen replaced five smaller mills. These mills previously drained this area. In 1937 there were plans to replace the windmill. They wanted to install a mechanical pump. This did not happen thanks to miller Cees Hoitsma.
Modern techniques
In 1958, the Húns mill received a three-cylinder Lister diesel engine. This made him less dependent on wind power. The mill was thoroughly restored between 1978 and 1980. Mill maker Dijkstra from Gytsjerk carried this out. The reeds were replaced and new Patent blades were installed.
THE FRISII PEOPLE
During the Roman period the Frisii lived in the northern coastal area of the Netherlands. In the 4th century this people almost completely disappeared from the coastal regions. Probably due to rising sea levels.
Germanic tribes
In the 5th and 6th centuries the area was repopulated, but by Germanic tribes. Groups of people from Denmark and Northwestern Germany brought with them Anglo-Saxon material culture and they adopted the name 'Frisians'.
PANWURK
The Panwurksbrêge between Húns and Leons refers to a brick factory where roof tiles were also made. The clay in the Húns area was ideal for baking roof tiles and bricks. This factory was located just outside the village, within the area that belonged to Húns. For a long time this was the only industrial activity in the area. Quite special for such a small village.
Roof tiles everywhere
In 1787, Húns was still described as a village with a very small neighborhood and 10 voters. In Húns you can still see traces of this industrial past. Put a spade in the ground and you immediately come across broken or old roof tiles.
SURROUNDING AREA
The village of Húns is located in the municipality of Leeuwarden. This municipality was founded in the second half of the 19th century and continued to grow by merging several villages, including the village of Húns. The municipality of Leeuwarden has played a crucial role in the region over the years, both economically and culturally. The rich history of this municipality is reflected in the various historical buildings and monuments that you can find here.
TO FRIESLAND WITH THE CHILDREN
Húns is an ideal holiday spot for young families. On the handball field, the kids can play endless amounts of football, frisbee and jeu de boules. There is also a small playground with a swing, a seesaw and a slide where the little ones can let off steam.
In the winter
And when there is severe frost, the handball field changes into an ice rink, where you can skate and enjoy the winter fun. In short, Húns offers fun and adventure for the whole family all year round.
HÚNS AND ATTILA AND THE HUNS
We will immediately disabuse you of the dream: the village of Húns has nothing to do with the nomadic people of the Huns. The Huns moved through Europe from Central Asia around the 5th century. The chance that the Attila and the Huns ever stood on the handball court in Húns is very small.
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Perhaps the Huns were strong and clever enough to win a match against the Frisian Húns, but ultimately the Huns were defeated at the Battle of the Catalan Fields in 451, which was a turning point in their political role. The name Húns therefore does not refer to Attila, but to the workmen of Huno, a local employer in the Greidhoeke from the 13th century.