Section 2: Stavoren - Harlingen | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route

Stavoren (Starum)

Stavoren (or Starum as we say in Friesland) is very much the main city of the IJsselmeer, being enclosed by the lake on three sides. It is also the oldest city of Friesland, founded around 300 BC at a waterway, and gaining city rights in the 11th century.

Visit Stavoren

11Fountains Stavoren

The sea gives, the sea takes. Stavoren, once a rich Hanseatic city, has much to say on this subject. Floods, maritime trade wars, a port that silted up: the city fell into poverty several times.

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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Stavoren

The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Stavoren by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”

Hindeloopen (Hylpen)

Hindeloopen, or Hylpen as we say in Friesland, is known for its painting and stylish costumes from the past.

Visit Hindeloopen

Friesian Ice Skating Museum

This museum is a must for all ice skating fans. You will find the world’s largest collection of ice skates here, and a complete history of the Elfstedentocht in a specially designed Elfsteden-room.

11Fountains Hindeloopen

The city coat of arms, with its tree of life, with the deer and the doe surrounding it, is the source of inspiration for the fountain in Hindeloopen.

Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Hindeloopen

The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Hindeloopen by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”

Workum (Warkum)

Workum (or Warkum as we say in Friesland), is one of the famous Frisian cities that has enjoyed city rights since 1399. Located on the shores of the former Zuiderzee and bordering the Frisian lakes.

Visit Workum

Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Workum

The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Workum by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”

11Fountains Workum

For centuries Workum’s city arms on ‘De Waag’ have been supported by two lions. They are naive and their theatrical pose prompts laughter.

Fyftjin en Fierder

Fyftjin en Fierder is an artwork by Pieter Jan Stallen. The work is about both the history and the future of the Eleven Cities Tour – very deliberately, it is about both!

Bolsward (Boalsert)

Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.

Visit Bolsward

Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Bolsward

The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Bolsward by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”

11Fountains Bolsward

Bats are intriguing, useful animals, crucial to the ecological system for their insect hunting. In Asian culture, the bat symbolises wealth, happiness and the blessings of old age.

Pioneer of the Eleven Cities Tour, Pim Mulier

Pim Mulier: founder of Dutch sports and pioneer of the Eleven Cities Tour.

11Fountains Harlingen

Harlingen used to be all about whaling. Nowadays we no longer kill these big and grandiose animals, but prefer to conserve them.

Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Harlingen

The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Harlingen by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”