Leeuwarden: Canals, cafes and culture
Leeuwarden in the Netherlands is quiet, beautiful and relatively unknown. That is about to change, because this picturesque provincial capital - along with Malta's Valletta - is European Capital of Culture for 2018.
Welcome to the Middle Ages
Since 1524, Leeuwarden has been the capital of the state of Frisia, the Netherlands northernmost province. Over 500 historical monuments bear witness to the town's wealthy tradition. Gabled houses and picturesque canals also characterize the inner city.
De Oldehove tower
In 1529, construction work began on what was planned to be a 120-meter-tall church, bigger than any other in the province. But when it was 10 meters high, it began to sag. The builders tried unsuccessfully to compensate. Building work was suspended when the tower reached a mere 40 meters. The church was eventually torn down but the leaning tower remains, and serves as a landmark in Leeuwarden.
The old weigh house
Despite the tower setback, Leeuwarden boasts several architectural accomplishments. Small shops and cafés line the banks of the canals, giving the inner-city a relaxed flair. A good example of this flair is the old weigh house (Stadswaag) dating back 1596, where cheeses used to be weighed and sold. It's now a cozy restaurant.
William Louis of Nassau-Dilleburg
Count William Louis of Nassau-Dilleburg was made stadtholder of Leeuwarden in 1548, effectively making him the head of state at the time. What followed became a golden era for the city of residence of the noble family Nassau, seeing several palaces constructed. These Frisian rulers were ancestors of today's King of the Netherlands.
Princessehof
Marie Louise, dowager Princess of Orange once held court in this elegant palace. Today it is home to the National Ceramics Museum. Here you can admire treasures including porcelain from China, Delftware pottery, Frisian ceramics as well as some impressive Art Deco pieces.
Mata Hari statue
This memorial is dedicated to the mysterious and most famous Leeuwarden resident. Born as Margaretha Geertruida Zelle in 1876, she later became famous under her stage name Mata Hari. An exotic dancer and courtesan, she was suspected of being a double agent and convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I. She was executed by a firing squad near Paris on 15 October 1917.
Museum de Grutterswinkel
Museum de Grutterswinkel is an authentic old-fashioned Dutch grocery shop, which was founded in 1900 by the family Feenstra. It remained open until 1973. Today's museum still has the original interior of the shop, living room, wine cellar and other rooms. The scales, the wooden till and the glasses filled with licorices and sweets give you a sense of traveling back in time.
The Fries Museum
Frisians are proud of their history and traditions and have created a museum dedicated to preserving Frisian culture. Traditional costumes, swords, kitchen utensils and everyday objects recount 200 years of Frisian history. To this day, alongside Dutch, the Frisian language is recognized as the second official language of the Netherlands.
Wooden clogs in blue, white and red
Traditional wooden clogs in the Frisian colors are surely a fantastic souvenir, but inexperienced feet should definitely wear them with caution. So we can conclude that there is much to see and do in the European Capital of Culture 2018 - but in order to do so well, be sure to wear good, comfortable shoes.