Bolsward (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɔlsʋɑrt] ⓘ, West Frisian: Boalsert) is a city in Súdwest-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands.

[3] The town is founded on three artificial dwelling mounds, the first of which was built some time before Christ.

This connection was lost when the Middle Sea was reclaimed to form arable land.

Because the marathon depends on the thickness of the ice, it is not held on a regular schedule and is somewhat rare.

Bolsward is also the host city for the yearly Cycling Elfstedentocht, a road bicycle racing tour.