Leeuwarden: Royal City of the Frisian Nassaus

While in Leeuwarden, discover traces of the seven Frisian stadtholders of Nassau. They are not difficult to spot. Two palaces, the Stadholder tombs in the Grote of Jacobijnerkerk and the city park Prinsentuin, are just some of the magnificent places reminiscent of this royal past. Monuments, buildings and street names also serve as reminders of the connection with the royal house.

In 1813, the first king of the Netherlands, William I, was crowned. His grandfather was Willem Carel Hendrik Friso, stadtholder of Leeuwarden until 1747. In that same year he left for The Hague as William IV, hereditary stadtholder of all the United Provinces of the Netherlands. Because he left Leeuwarden, this meant the end of the royal city, although his mother lived in her palace the Princessehof until her death. Princessehof is now a Ceramics Museum, with period rooms that bring alive the past of its royal resident Princess Maria Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1688-1765).

City walking tours

Go on a royal voyage of discovery through Leeuwarden with a city guide. Learn about Friesland’s history and royal past.

Bicycle route: From the Royal City to the Wadden

Get on your bicycle and discover the Royal City and the Wadden. During this 69-kilometres-long bike tour, you will discover large country houses and stinzen (fortified manors). Many of these country houses and stinzen remained in the hands of the same families for centuries. The route takes you past several of these stately homes and stinzen. They evoke the rich history of prosperous Friesland.

Read more about the bicycle route

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
Grote of Jacobijnerkerk

The Grote of Jacobijnerkerk is the oldest and, from an architectural point of view, the most important church in Leeuwarden.
Leeuwarden
The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics
The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics

In the middle of Leeuwarden's historic city centre stands the 18th-century city palace of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, princess of Orange Nassau, ancestor of King Willem-Alexander. The world-famous M. C. Escher was also born in the same building.
Leeuwarden
Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof
Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof

In the heart of Leeuwarden city centre, you will find the magnificent Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof.
Leeuwarden

Maria Louise played a special role during the hereditary succession of the family. Not once, but twice she fulfilled the important role of regent. The first time as a young woman for her unborn son and later at the age of 71. She did this before her grandson became the first king of the Netherlands. She was nicknamed Marijke Muoi (aunt Marijke), because she was so loved by the Frisians. This is just one story about the Frisian Nassau family. There are countless other stories to discover within the rich history.

PODCAST: THE WOMEN OF THE HOUSE OF ORANGE-NASSAU

In this podcast, we delve into the special stories of the women of the House of Orange-Nassau. Which beloved Frisian lady is behind the continuation of the Orange Dynasty? Where are the palaces that we owe to the taste of an Orange lady? Follow in their footsteps and discover Royal Holland.

Listen to the podcast

PODCAST 'LEEUWARDEN: THE CITY OF MARIJKE MEU'

In a new NBTC Holland podcast, Sybrand Buma, mayor of Leeuwarden and Marlies Stoter, curator of the Fries Museum, talk about the Royal House and the Frisian Nassau family.

Listen to the podcast