Sights

Due to the fact that Leeuwarden was European Capital of Culture in 2018, the Frisian eleven cities each received a fountain gift. These fountains were designed by a team of artists from as many countries. The fountain in the photo is situated in the city of Stavoren and was designed by the artist Mark Dion (1961) from the United States.

Many visitors to Friesland have turned it into a sport to visit all the fountains and take pictures of them.

De ’tocht der tochten’ wordt de Elfstedentocht wel eens genoemd. Bedoeld wordt de schaatstocht langs alle elf Friese steden Leeuwarden, Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker en Dokkum.

De eerste Elfstedentocht werd verreden op 2 January 1909 en de laatste op 4 Januari 1997. De eerste werd gewonnen door Minne Hoekstra de laatste door Henk Angenent.

Tegenwoordig wordt met weemoed teruggedacht aan de tijden dat er nog Elfstedentochten waren. Door de opwarming van het klimaat lijkt het er op dat het voorgoed voorbij is met deze bijzondere traditie. Toch is dit niet helemaal waar. Bij gebrek aan ijs kan de tocht der tochten op allerlei andere manieren worden beleefd en daar wordt het hele jaar rond gretig gebruik van gemaakt. (tekst volgt)

The IJsselmeer forms an impressive border of land and water in the west of Friesland. The former Zuiderzee, definitively closed off from the Wadden Sea by the Afsluitdijk since 1932, is still impressive in all weather types in terms of vastness and nature.

The Frisian IJsselmeer coast is characterized by beautiful old fishing towns such as Hindeloopen, Stavoren, Workum and Harlingen. But there are also picturesque villages such as Cornwerd, Gaast and Piaam, not to mention the larger Makkum. The latter is, together with Harlingen, the base for many charter ships that take to the water with groups of tourists or staff associations. The fishing towns bear witness to the rich history of the area. The world seas were sailed from Hindeloopen, Stavoren, Workum, and Harlingen for trade. Harlingen also played an important role in whaling.

The coast has also played an important role in the defense of Friesland. For example, the Battle of Warns on 26 September 1345 was the most important battle in the Frisian-Dutch War between Count William IV of Holland and the Frisians. The Frisians won with force majeure. This battle is commemorated annually at the monument on the Rea Klif near Warns. The words ’Leaver dea as slaef’ are written on the monument. Nowadays, the IJsselmeer coast is a popular destination for both culture-tourists and water sports enthusiasts. In strong winds, the coast is a perfect location for wind and kite surfing. There are several surfing schools where this active sport can be learned.

Tip: While you are in the area, take a look at one of the smallest ports in Europe, you will find this one in the village of Laaksum.

The leaning tower of Pisa is a household name but the Oldehove in Leeuwarden is almost as skewed. Yet the latter is a lot less known. The current Oldehove has a special history.

On the square where the Oldehove now stands, there was a tuff church around 1100, which would be replaced in the 13th century by a larger church built from red cloisters. However, they did not get any further than the construction of the foundation When the villages of Oldehove, Nijehove and Hoek were merged in 1435 and the city of Leeuwarden came into existence, there soon became a need for a larger church. This is how a three-aisled basilica dedicated to St Vitus was established.

But the Leeuwarders wanted more: They wanted to have just as high a tower as the Groningers in the neighbouring province had built in the years 1469-1482 with the Martini tower. So action was unleashed and the money poured in from all over Friesland. After an energetic start it soon became apparent that the geology was not really designed for the enormous weight of the tower, whose walls at the base are meters thick. Immediately intervened by taking the subsidence into account during construction. To no avail, a crooked, half-finished tower remained.

The Wadden Islands - suppliers of island feeling

The Wadden Islands are the proverbial 'pearls' of Friesland. Four, or actually five in a row. Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Texel is unfortunately left out on this website because it belongs to the province of North Holland and this website is about Friesland.

One Wadden Island is even more beautiful than the other. They have a few important and popular features in common, the immeasurably long golden sandy beaches.

A few special phenomena occur when visiting one of the Wadden Islands. At times, It can be very busy at departure and arrival and on the boat, but once you are on the island, the crowds spread out over the island and you experience peace and space. All the more when you arrive at the beach. There you have kilometers of sandy beach all to yourself. Another phenomenon is that you recognize the faces of the boat on the island, on the bike path, or on the terrace. You see the same people over and over again. This makes the Wadden Islands appear large and small at the same time.

Although the Wadden Islands all contain the same basic ingredients, such as villages, dunes, and beaches, they are also different from each other in a special way. One island has more forests, the other has more heathland. One more cranberry fields, the other more meadows, and farmyards. One is car-free and the other is not. They all have many kilometers of hiking and biking trails. Youths especially appreciate Terschelling. Ameland attracts families. Nature lovers and bird watchers frequent Schiermonnikoog. Vlieland has a more exclusive character and is popular with celebrities.

One phenomenon remains unspoken, "island feeling". You must have been there to recognize this phenomenon. It starts as soon as the boat has released the ropes and ends when you set foot on the mainland again in Holwerd, Lauwersoog, or Harlingen on your return. Books have been written about it. As far as I know, you only have this island feeling on the Frisian Wadden Islands!

Van oudsher zit het maken van muziek in het bloed van de Friezen. Het Friese volkslied mag zich ook ver buiten de provincie verheugen in enige bekendheid. Niet in de laatste plaats vanwege publieke uitvoeringen tijdens schaatswedstrijden in Thialf, voetbalwedstrijden in Heerenveen of omlijsting van het skûtsjesilen of het fierljeppen. 

De oudere generaties Friezen herinneren zich het zingen in de huiskamer. Begeleid door harmonium of trekharmonica. De hele buurt kwam er soms op af.  Tegenwoordig laten we het zingen vaak over aan anderen. Het harmonium heeft plaats gemaakt voor de TV of stereo-installatie. Streamingdiensten voeren nu de boventoon.

Mar vergis je niet, Friesland heeft een keur aan bands, soloartiesten, troubadours en wat dies meer zij. Al dan niet optredend in de Friese of een streektaal. Griet Wiersma, Piter Wilkens, De Kast, Twarris, Nynke Laverman, zomaar een handjevol klinkende namen.

For many, Friesland is synonymous with water sports. This is mainly due to the enormous popularity of the Frisian lake area as a holiday destination. Every year the Frisian Lakes region is the domain of water sports enthusiasts. They sail over the lakes and moor at the dozens of marinas or passers-by at the popular water sports locations, the name of which sound familiar to many. Sneek, Joure, Langweer, Heeg, Elahuizen, Terherne just to name a handful.

In addition, during the season numerous water sports events are organized in the area of ​​which the skûtsjesilen, organized by the SKS and the IFKS, is perhaps the most appealing to the imagination. But don’t forget the Sneekweek. The largest sailing event in the world on inland water.

The Frisian lake area is perfectly equipped for all types of water sports enthusiasts, there are maintenance and boat rental companies. Sailboats in all kinds of classes, sloops or yachts from large to small can be rented in all water sports locations.

There are few breeds of horses that appeal to the imagination as much as the Friesian Horse. Jet black, long wavy mane and tail, and of course the characteristic fetlock on the legs. The Friesian horse has always been highly appreciated over the centuries. The Romans made a lot of use of it, and the Frisian horse also played an important role in the Eighty Years’ War. The oldest native horse breed is also known for its friendly character Hollywood has noticed the fact that the Friesian horse is also very photogenic. The Friesian horse, for example, plays a starring role in dozens of adventure films, including Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and The Chronicles of Narnia. At home in Friesland, groups of Friesian horses are calmly grazing in the meadow. Truly a beautiful sight, Friesland at its best.

By the way, do you know the Frisian singer Griet Wiersma’s hit ’Frysk Hynder’ about the Frisian horse?

Hindelooper paintwork art is a special style of painted furniture, walls, and objects. The style is colorful and consists of ornate floral motifs, bible prints, and sea scenes. This type of painting originated around 1650 and was very popular at the time in the so-called "captain’s houses" in Hindeloopen.

The style of painting is in line with the late Renaissance and early Baroque of the Dutch north. This can be recognized by the use of the acanthus plant, the imitation marble and representations from Greek mythology. The most important background colors are red, blue, white and green.

When you visit Hindeloopen, you can be thoroughly informed about this special form of folk art.

Friesland’s enormous wealth of heritage starts with the hundreds of monumental and age-old Protestant churches in so many villages and towns. Most of these churches have been perfectly preserved thanks to centuries of care, dedication and maintenance.

The medieval churches dominate the Frisian landscape. If you are standing in the open Frisian landscape and you look around you, in some places you can see up to eight villages, each with an ancient church that sets the silhouette. The construction method and building materials of these churches differ per region, including the associated towers.

There are large specimens such as those in the cities of Leeuwarden, Dokkum, Bolsward, and Franeker, but also very small and intimate ones such as the monastery chapel in Jannum.

In the southeastern part of Friesland and the western part of Drenthe you will find the beautiful Drents-Friese Wold. This area, which covers more than 6,000 hectares, was designated as a National Park in 2000 and is also designated as a Natura 2000 area (protected nature area). After the Hoge Veluwe, the Drents-Friese Wold is the largest contiguous forest area in the Netherlands. In this spacious forest area, you will find extensive peat and heathland landscapes, swamp and drifting sand areas, brook valley grasslands and beautiful forests. The area is perfect for a nice cycling or walking holiday. You will immediately recognize the typical landscape of villages, the bulbous fields around the small villages that are accompanied by vast heaths and stream valleys full of blooming flowers. Also an ideal area for nature lovers or people who are looking for peace and quiet.

There are numerous activities to undertake and experience, such as forest walks with the forester and various workshops. You can also experience a bit of history and take a look at the Dolmen of Diever. All in all, the Drents-Friese Wold is a wonderful place for a peaceful holiday. And it is certainly worthwhile for a nice day of cycling or walking in this beautiful and natural area.

In the north-east of Friesland and north-west of Groningen, you will find the beautiful Lauwersmeer area. This area declared a National Park because of its diversity, covers around 5800 hectares and is known as a bird breeding ground. Since the construction of the dam in this area (1969), part of the seabed has been drained, which has provided the ideal breeding ground for a number of birds. For example, you can see Steltkluten, spoonbills, or if you are lucky the bald eagle that has started breeding here in recent years. During the bird migration in spring and autumn, you can even see 30,000 barnacle geese flying over in one day. This makes the Lauwersmeer region very popular among bird and nature lovers. In addition to birds, you can also encounter foxes, Scottish Highlanders, and Konik horses in this beautiful nature reserve. The Lauwersmeer area has an activity center, which is an ideal starting point to explore the area

There are activities and courses for young and old. In addition to all this beautiful nature and animals, you would almost forget that the Lauwersmeer is ideal for water sports. There is often a good wind on the water that makes it perfect for sailing, kite surfing, and windsurfing. There are also a number of beaches accessible where you can relax in the summer. All in all a special place that is worth a vacation or day trip.

In the living room of his stately canal house in Franeker, between 1774 and 1781, the "woolcomber" Eise Eisinga recreated the solar system to scale. Nowadays, after almost 240 years, it is the oldest working planetarium in the world where you can still read the current position of the celestial bodies.

But the Eise Eisinga Planetarium is more than a planetarium. It is also a museum that houses an extensive collection of historical astronomical instruments and that pays attention to modern astronomy.

Every visitor receives an explanation in the planetarium room. The unique Planetarium of Eise Eisinga in Franeker is on the provisional list of World Heritage. When visiting Friesland, a visit to the Planetarium cannot be missed.

Every year in July and August Friesland is dominated by Skûtsjesilen. ... text follows!

The 13 meter high Stupa for world peace, called "Tashi Gomang", was built by Lama Gawang Rinpoche. It took four years to accomplish this feat. Not only the beautiful exterior is special, but the Stupa is also filled to the brim with many special and sacred objects.

You will find the stupa past the mill near the village of Hantum. This village is located a few kilometers north of Dokkum. The stupa is open to visitors every Sunday, including a cup of tea and a tour. A small gift is appreciated. Groups by appointment.

A magical experience of steam, architecture, and water, the ir. D.F. Woudagemaal in Lemmer is the largest functioning steam pumping station in the world. The pumping station was opened by Queen Wilhemina in 1920 and had the task of pumping excess water from Friesland into the Zuiderzee, and later the IJsselmeer.

The stately brick building is sleek and sober in character, entirely in keeping with the style of the Amsterdam School. The duties of the steam pumping station in Lemmer were taken over in 1966 by the electric Highland pumping station in Stavoren. Nevertheless, the monumental Woudagemaal still plays a crucial role in emergencies. In the event of extremely high water, the old steam pumping station is still used to discharge excess water into the IJsselmeer as quickly as possible. Since 1998, the Woudagemaal has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Wadden Sea is unique in the world! The Wadden Sea along the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark is an unparalleled dynamic landscape. Nowhere else in the world will you find such a vast and varied area, created under the influence of ebb and flow and where changes are noticeable on a daily basis.

An extensive system of channels and gullies is interspersed with dry sandbanks. Mussel beds, nutrient-rich mud flats, vast salt marshes, white sandy beaches and dunes and here and there waving seagrass fields. This variety of landscapes makes the Wadden Sea a unique habitat that many visitors enjoy throughout the year. The Wadden Sea is an indispensable stopover for millions of birds during their migration. And more than 10,000 often rare plant and animal species find their home here.

The Wadden Sea of ​​the Netherlands and Germany has been a world heritage site since 2009. The aim is for the Danish part to be added.

The Wadden Sea is best experienced in Frisian villages such as Moddergat, Paesens, Wierum, Holwerd, Zwarte Haan, Westhoek, Harlingen or Zurich.