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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

Fries Museum

The Fries Museum is dedicated to Friesland and the Frisian people. Its activities revolve around the eleven cities that make up the province and the surrounding countryside. These include the Frisians' love-hate relationship with water, the search fo...

11
2

Oldehove

Oldehove

The Oldehove has been standing since 1529, and leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa! You can explore both the inside and outside of this monument: in 2011 a lift was installed to bring all visitors to the first floor. Take the spiral stairs to go up!

3

The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics

The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics

The finest ceramics collected in The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics. The museum has the largest and most varied collection of Chinese porcelain in the Netherlands and has a rich collection of the Dutch Art Nouveau and Art Deco ceramics.

4

Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof

Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof

Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof has a rich history and is housed in a former royal palace in the heart of the city of Leeuwarden. Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof has a rich history and is housed in a former royal palace in the heart of the cit...

10
5

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk

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

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