What is "almenum"

Almenum is a historic locality in the northern Netherlands, near Midlum, Friesland. It is located at the intersection of Zuidwalweg and Haulewei. According to legend is the site of the first Christian church in Friesland built in 777 AD by Gustavus Forteman. The church was the Cathedral Almenum. In 1157 Eilwardus Ludinga founded a monastery called Ludingakerke. The monks dug canals to provide access to trading vessels. Ludingakerk became one of the richest monasteries in Friesland. The area west of Almenum, became more important and turned into the city of Harlingen.