Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden (Frisian: Ljouwert) is a municipality and the capital city of the Dutch province of Friesland. It is situated in the north of the country.

Population centres

Goutum, Hempens, Leeuwarden, Lekkum, Miedum, Snakkerburen, Swichum, Teerns, Wirdum and Wytgaard.

The city of Leeuwarden

History

The area has been ocupated since the 10th century, and was granted a town chart in 1435. Situated along the Middelzee, it was an active trade centre, until the waterway dried out in the 13th century. In 1901 the city had a population of 32,203.

Famous natives of Leeuwarden include stadtholder William IV of Orange, graphic artist M. C. Escher and dancer-spy Mata Hari.

Government

Leeuwarden, as capital of the province of Friesland, is seat of the provincial authorities.

Sights

Well-known buildings in the city centre include the Kanselarij (the former chancellery), the Waag (old trade centre of the city), the church of St. Bonifatius and the leaning tower Oldehove.

Leeuwarden is also the site of the country's largest cattle market, and on Ascension Day, the largest flower market in the Netherlands is held here.

Education

Leeuwarden has a number of reputed technical schools (HBO in Dutch), such as the Van Hall Instituut (agricultural and life sciences), the Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland (economical and educational studies) and the Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden (any mainstream study).

Although the city has no university, several dependencies are located here, including the Universiteit Twente and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. About 16.000 students, among them an increasing number of foreign students, study at technical schools. Besides higher education, the city is also home to two regional vocational schools (MBO): the Friese Poort and Friesland College.

Sports

Leeuwarden holds the celebrated Elfstedentocht, a 200km-long speed skating race, whenever canals freeze. It last happened in January 1997, preceded by 1985 and 1986. The city's local soccer team, Cambuur Leeuwarden plays in the 1st Division of the professional Dutch soccer league. Its Cambuurstadion opened in 1995.

Famous people from Leeuwarden

Transport

Train routes with starting number of the train number series:

500 IC Den Haag Centraal / Rotterdam Centraal - Groningen / Leeuwarden
700 IC Schiphol / Amsterdam Centraal - Groningen / Leeuwarden
30000 R Leeuwarden - Stavoren
30100 R Leeuwarden - Harlingen Haven
30200 R/D Groningen - Leeuwarden

External links

Cities in Friesland | Municipalities of Friesland

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