Frisian icons

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We might live in a relatively flat province - in clear weather you can see the lighthouses on the islands from Leeuwarden - but when it comes to Frisian icons, we are head and shoulders above the rest of the Netherlands. From National Parks to industry movers and shakers. The Wadden Sea, the Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, the Eise Eisinga Planetarium; these are just a few of the many exciting places to visit in our province.

Mata Hari

In 2017, it will be exactly 100 years since Mata Hari was executed before a firing squad in Vincennes. Did she die as a double agent or as an exotic dancer?

Escher

Reproductions of his work hang in millions of houses across the world and especially in areas where the visual arts have not yet been firmly established: in suburbs, apartment blocks, hair salons or teenagers’ bedrooms.

Listed buildings

Castles and country estates, mills and churches: Friesland has a wealth of special buildings. They not only adorn our province, they also say something about our culture.

Planetarium

 You no longer have to go outside to see the position of the stars. In 1774 in Franeker, Eise Eisinga decided to turn his living room into a planetarium and his star ceiling still runs accurately to the minute.

THE WOUDAGEMAAL

The largest steam mill in the world is in Friesland. The Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal is in Lemmer, and is still put into operation twice a year.
Read more about the Woudagemaal

THE WATERPOORT SNEEK

The Waterpoort is Sneek’s most famous building and the symbol of the city. The gate consists of two eight-sided towers, between which there is a bridge over the waterway between De Kolk and the Stadsgracht in the city centre, and a gatekeeper’s house above the bridge.
Read more about Sneek

THE AFSLUITDIJK

The Afsluitdijk is a large and very important water icon of Friesland. The Afsluitdijk is the watercourse between Friesland and North Holland and closes the IJsselmeer from the Wadden Sea. This 32.5 kilometre long dike is extremely important in protecting the Netherlands from floods. Building has recently begun on an Afsluitdijk experience centre where tourists can see and experience the story of the dike.
Read more about the Afsluitdijk

BONIFACE

Dokkum, one of the eleven cities, is characterised by the story of church reformer Saint Boniface, who was assassinated there on 5 June 754. Boniface had a major role in the founding of the Church of Rome and the growth of cultural unity in Western Europe. In 754, he opted to go to Friesland for his last mission but came to an unfortunate end there.
Read more about Dokkum
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Royal Woods

Oranjewoud Festival
With its rich history, the leafy Oranjewoud parkland (near Heerenveen) offers countless links for an exciting programme that binds people to classical music. Oranjewoud Festival demonstrates that classical music still hasn’t lost its topicality and urgency.
More about the Oranjewoud Festival

Yiddish Waves

Klezmer meets Chaabi
Yiddish Waves includes stories of a people without a country and a language made up of German, Russian, Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian and Hebrew words. Arab musicians and Frisian poets meet each other in a music festival and there is a dance event with international DJs: Klezmer meets Chaabi.
More about the Yiddish Waves
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Discover Friesland’s heritage

't Ailand Lauwersoog
Sights - Food and drink - Shops - Arrangementen

't Ailand Lauwersoog

Lauwersoog

Andere Museum van Oldtimer tot Kant
Sights - Recreation - Arrangementen

Andere Museum van Oldtimer tot Kant

Leeuwarden

Dekema State
Sights - Food and drink - Nature - Recreation - Arrangementen

Dekema State

Jelsum

Dekema State
Sights - Food and drink

Dekema State

Jelsum

Gasterij Manjefiek
Sights - Food and drink

Gasterij Manjefiek

Kollum

Jachthaven en Camping de Domp
Sights - Nature - Spending the night - Arrangementen

Jachthaven en Camping de Domp

Snek

Kleintheater De vier Pelikanen
Company on location - Sights - Arrangementen

Kleintheater De vier Pelikanen

Leeuwarden

Museum Joure
Company on location - Sights - Food and drink - Organizations - Recreation - Arrangementen

Museum Joure

Joure

Museum Martena
Sights - Recreation

Museum Martena

Franeker

Poptaslot of Heringastate
Sights - Recreation

Poptaslot of Heringastate

Marsum

Sense of Place: Wachten op hoog water
Sights - Nature

Sense of Place: Wachten op hoog water

Holwerd