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Tour of Leeuwarden | Section 0 – Preamble

(12.0 km)

Before setting off on the trail inspired by the ‘tour of all tours’, first you spend a day exploring Leeuwarden, Friesland's capital city. Here you can start to get a feel for Friesland, learn a few words of the local language and visit the most important museums in the province. 

As you wander through the centre of Leeuwarden, you will notice that some streets run uphill. This is because, back in 1435, Leeuwarden was formed from the merger of three historical municipalities built on dwelling mounds or ‘terps’. 

This preamble to the trail zig-zags through the old city centre and some of the outskirts. Not all of the trail junctions are marked and in the bustle of the city you may find it difficult to spot the red and yellow markings. But then getting lost is part of the adventure!

But…

Before setting off on the trail inspired by the ‘tour of all tours’, first you spend a day exploring Leeuwarden, Friesland's capital city. Here you can start to get a feel for Friesland, learn a few words of the local language and visit the most important museums in the province. 

As you wander through the centre of Leeuwarden, you will notice that some streets run uphill. This is because, back in 1435, Leeuwarden was formed from the merger of three historical municipalities built on dwelling mounds or ‘terps’. 

This preamble to the trail zig-zags through the old city centre and some of the outskirts. Not all of the trail junctions are marked and in the bustle of the city you may find it difficult to spot the red and yellow markings. But then getting lost is part of the adventure!

But do make sure you get to see the highlights of this city that was once the royal capital. Such as the leaning Oldehove tower, the Us Heit statue of Stadtholder William Louis of Nassau-Dillenburg in front of Stadhouderlijk Hof Palace, the Princessehof museum, once the residence of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, Prinsentuin park, the Fries Museum of material culture and the Jacobijnerkerk church where stadtholders of Friesland have their own crypts.

Above all… be sure to enjoy strolling through the narrow streets of Leeuwarden!

Sights on this route

Starting point: Willemskade 10
8911 BA Leeuwarden
1

Fries Museum

Discover the Frisian in yourself at the Fries Museum! Here you will discover all about the eleven cities and the countryside, the love-hate relationship with water, the search for the typically Frisian and Friesland's place in the world

Fries Museum
11
2

Oldehove

Temporarily closed

The Oldehove has been standing since 1529 and is leans even more than the Tower of Pisa! You can admire it from the inside as well as outside. The elevator, built in 2011, takes you to the first floor, and from there you will have to conquer the spiral staircase to the roof.

Oldehove
3

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.

The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics Keramiekmuseum Princessehof
4

Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof

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

Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof
10
5

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk

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

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
08
05
09
03
69
01
63
64
42
66
67
End point: Willemskade 10
8911 BA Leeuwarden
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