Sonnema square
The place where it all began: the Sonnemapleintsje
On this spot in Dokkum, Fedde Sonnema took his first steps as a spirit maker around 1860. What was once a simple inn – a place where travelers could rest, eat, and drink – grew into the birthplace of a Frisian tradition.
Here, Fedde mixed herbs brought back from Amsterdam by skûtsjes (Frisian sailing barges) with his own local Frisian herbs, infusing them into brandy and Dutch gin (jenever). His unique recipe, with more spice and character, quickly made him famous throughout the region.
Fedde passed away in March 1886, and his son Jacob Feddes Sonnema continued the tradition. He opened the distillery and liqueur plant ‘Het Wapen van Dockum’ right here at the foot of the Hogepol. In 1927, grandson Fedde Jacobs Sonnema took over the company as the third generation. He expanded the business to such an extent that Dokkum eventually became too small, and the distillery moved to a new location.
From the old inn grew the brand that today still stands for strength, taste, and Frisian pride: Sonnema Berenburg. This spot was officially given the name it already held in popular speech: the Sonnemapleintsje.
Fedde Sonnema
The man behind the taste
Fedde Jacobs Sonnema was born on April 9, 1817, in Eanjum, in Noardeast-Fryslân. Around 1860, Fedde was a carpenter and spirits merchant living with his family on Legeweg. Together with his wife Saapke, he bought two buildings here on the square to open an inn. As a fledgling innkeeper and liquor merchant, he created his own version of the then-popular Beerenburg, by infusing herbs in brandy or Dutch gin (jenever).
This proved to be a success. His drink became popular among travelers, sailors, and locals, growing into a true Frisian specialty. Due to a patent on the original name, Fedde decided to spell his Sonnema Berenburg with only one ‘e’.
Fedde passed away on March 22, 1886, after which his son—and later his grandson—continued the distillery. What started in an inn in Dokkum grew into a nationally and internationally renowned brand: Sonnema Berenburg, a symbol of Frisian pride and entrepreneurship.
Parkeerterrein Panwurk
Parkeer je in het Panwurk, dan loop je vide noordelijkste toegangsbrug, de Aalsumerpoort, het centrum van Dokkum in. Al op de vroegste tekeningen van de stad zie je dat deze brug bestaat. Vroeger was er buiten deze toegangspoort vrijwel niets te zien dan een wijds landschap tot aan de zee. Nu staat je auto hier veilig en droog geparkeerd.