Tourist attractions Franeker

This 17C palace, the former residence of Princess Marie-Louise of Hesse-Cassel, today houses the Ceramics Museum. The collections in this museum are especially rich: porcelain and stoneware coming from Asia (Japan, China) and europe (Italy, Nethe..

This museum occupies two historic houses: the Eysingahuis (late 18C) and the impressive Chancellerie ( Kanselarij , 1566). Its varied collections illustrate Friesian culture, history and art: remains from archaeological excavations, objects and pho..

This charming structure was built in 1591 in the Dutch Mannerist style. It is graced with a double gable and topped by an elegant octagonal tower. The walls of the 18 C council chamber (the Raadzaal) and the wedding hall (the Trouwzaal) are covered i..

Eise Eisinga, a wool comber who was fascinated by astronomy, undertook in 1774 the construction of an ingenious device that made the movement of the stars appear on the ceiling of his living room (finished in 1781). He was able to achieve a surprisin..

This dock, now a marina, is lined with picturesque houses and warehouses. On the north quay, note several fine stones on the façades. The town hall ( stadthuis ) stands on the south side. This building, dating from the 18C, is topped with a bas-relie..

This renaissance palace (1614-1717) has a graceful facade with a steepled fore-building fronted by an 18C gable. The small octagonal belfry contains a carillon . In the Marriage Hall ( Raadzaal ), admire the door by J Gysberts, who also decorated t..

This elegant construction dates from 1613. Made from brick decorated with sandstone, it protected the port entrance. Its central part forms a bridge over the Geeuw and is flanked by two turrets which overlook the thin roofs. It is inset with arches.

Occupying the historic Martenastins, this municipal museum honours the memory of Anna Maria van Schurman (1606-1678), an illustrious entomologist and draughtswoman. The history of the former university is illustrated there by portraits of professors ..

The pillars of this Gothic church are covered with 15 C paintings (of figures of the saints). The ground is strewn with many tombstones, richly sculpted in the Friesian style.

The overdoor contains inscriptions from the 17 C. Nearby, Cammingha-Stins is a lovely 15-16 C residence that today houses a bank. Don't miss the coins and medals gallery on the first floor.

Housed in an 18C residence, the Hannemahuis, this museum is devoted to the history of Harlingen and its maritime past, evoked by regional furniture, the seascapes of N. Baur (born in Haarlem in 1767), engravings and collections of Chinese porcelain, ..

This two-headed cast iron monument was created in 1774 in memory of Governor Caspar de Robles who, in 1573, had the previously submerged dyke strengthened. Harlingen beach is located behind the dyke. A beautiful view of the harbour.

This old hospice, founded in 1711, provides a picturesque ensemble of low houses opening onto a monumental doorway.

This castle, also known as Heringastate, is preceded by a 17C doorway with scrolled gables. It contains furniture from the 17 and 18C

This modest church has a crypt with strange properties. Built in the 14C on a small mound and surrounded by a cemetery, it was remodelled in the 19C. In the 17 and 18C, it served as the tomb for eleven people. The bodies were preserved from decomposi..

This vast Gothic church, now protestant, dates from the 15C like most Friesian belfries. Its tower is topped with a pitched roof. Inside, located in the chancel, you will notice the 15C stalls , whose admirable sculptures encapsulate innocence and t..

This is a restored church dating from the 12 and 13C built of tufa and brick. It is fronted by a tower with a pitched roof, bordered it to west by a hemicycle of low houses. The interior is rustic, and contains many worn paintings in the chancel (aro..

This small museum is home to a restored country grocery store, a rural abode and an 1885 schoolhouse. Further on, the charming 13 C church on a knoll, surrounded by a graveyard, has been restored.

This Gothic brick tower has remained unfinished because of the instability of the ground, which is why it leans so much. From the top there is a beautiful view of the town. On a clear day, you can even see the Wadden islands. Close by, the old wood..

This old farm, named Yzeren Kou is typically Friesian and is open to the general public. It is a large building, home to an enormous grange and cowshed. The outbuilding is raised to make space for the dairy.