Swimming in Friesland
Attention water freaks! You can swim in Friesland. Whether you want to enjoy subtropically in one of our indoor swimming pools, are more of a breath of fresh air in an outdoor pool or want to chill on the beach, the choice is huge.
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St Boniface Chapel
St Boniface Chapel
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In de Wij
In de Wij
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Notiz Hotel
Notiz Hotel
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Zijda Yachting - Mila Mae
Zijda Yachting - Mila Mae
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Weids uitzicht nabij Tjeukemeer
Weids uitzicht nabij Tjeukemeer
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Sint Jorischurch Britswert
Sint Jorischurch Britswert
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élevé Restaurant
élevé Restaurant
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Heechsicht
Heechsicht
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Memorial stone for Fallen Canadians
Memorial stone for Fallen Canadians
Sunday 15 April 1945, Friesland's official liberation day, was also the day Sneek welcomed the Canadian liberation forces. It had been an exciting day, and the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS) had fought quite a battle with the occupiers.
A day earlier, German troops had begun to withdraw from Sneek and the NBS had tried to hinder their retreat along the Leeuwarderweg as much as possible. Until a column of German parachute troops had entered the fray and forced the NBS to retreat.
The Waag building in the middle of the city centre was used as a weapons cache by the occupying forces during the war. To prevent it from falling into Allied hands, the fleeing troops set it on fire at around three o'clock on Sunday. Loud explosions and bangs resounded throughout the city for half an hour.
Once the enemy had left the city, the NBS operatives gathered at the HBS school for instructions and the distribution of weapons and armbands. They went into the city to round up traitors. Then, rumour had it that hundreds of German soldiers were on their way to Sneek from Lemmer. Immediately, fortifications were built at the Water gate.
Canadian units were alerted. They were now in possession of the latest defence plans for Sneek thanks to NBS intelligence and were advancing from Joure towards the town.
In the evening around half past seven, the first patrol of the Canadian infantry battalion Le régiment De La Chaudière rode into town with flame-throwers and machine guns. The German troops stayed away, and the full Canadian battalion followed.
Sneek was liberated, but freedom was not yet guaranteed as German troops tried to escape via the Afsluitdijk towards Friesland. The Canadian Regiment of the Queens Own Rifles moved through Sneek to the Afsluitdijk and fiercely fought at Wons. Six Canadian soldiers were killed. They were temporarily buried at Sneek General Cemetery. In 1946, they were reburied at the Canadian Field of Honour in Holten.
Canadian guests
While waiting to return to their homeland, hundreds of Canadian soldiers were lodged with families in Sneek for about five months. On 1 June, the Perth Regiment arrived in the town, which they temporarily renamed Stratford. They were involved in the liberation of Groningen. A committee was set up to entertain the soldiers with various activities. From dances to sailing competitions and special church services.Cordial ties developed between the liberators and the people of Sneek. And sometimes more than that. For Gordon C. Compton and Atty Bouma, one could even speak of "love at first sight". When the last soldiers return home at the end of November, Gordon decided to stay in the Netherlands. On 9 May 1946, he married Atty in Sneek. Not long after, Gordon and his "war bride" left for Canada.
Several monuments in the city recall the special bond with the Canadian military, which remains very close to this day.
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Noflik Nijemirdum
Noflik Nijemirdum
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Brasserie om de Noord
Brasserie om de Noord
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Recreatiepark de Jerden - Pipowagen
Recreatiepark de Jerden - Pipowagen
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Biologische kaasmakerij de Nylander
Biologische kaasmakerij de Nylander
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Cafe de Spoek
Cafe de Spoek
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Reidswâl
Reidswâl
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Marina de Rakken
Marina de Rakken
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Resistance Memorial 1940 – 1945
Resistance Memorial 1940 – 1945
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De Walrus
De Walrus
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Bootverhuur Hospes - Motorboot IJsvogel
Bootverhuur Hospes - Motorboot IJsvogel
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Wolkom Thús - Appartement Goud
Wolkom Thús - Appartement Goud
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Epemastate
Epemastate
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Friese Meren Villa's - Docklodge 42
Friese Meren Villa's - Docklodge 42
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HarTeluk Joure - Comfort Tweepersoons kamer bad
HarTeluk Joure - Comfort Tweepersoons kamer bad
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Zuidwaard Watersport Makkum
Zuidwaard Watersport Makkum
