Get in
By car
From Amsterdam, Leeuwarden can be reached by two different routes: the western route via the A7 and the A31 and the eastern one via the A1, A6 and A32.
By train
A direct intercity service connects Leeuwarden to both Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport. The journey will take about two and a half hours.
See
Other attractions include:
Get out
Just west of Leeuwarden lie Dronrijp and Franeker, both interesting and picturesque towns.
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, Stiens, and Wytgaard.
The city of Leeuwarden
History
The area has been occupied since the 10th century (although recently, remains of houses dating back to the 2nd century AD were discovered during a dig near the Oldehove), and was granted a town charter in 1435. Situated along the Middelzee, it was an active trade centre, until the waterway dried out in the 15th 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, as well as the theologian Dr. N.H. Gootjes.
During World War II, after extensive occupation by the German forces, on April 15th, 1945, the Royal Canadian Dragoons, disobeying direct orders, gallantly charged into the heavily defended city and defeated the Germans, who were driven out by the next day.
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. One of the eye catchers in the city centre is the ‘Achmea building’ (it belongs to Achmea insurance) which is near the train station. The Achmea building is the tallest building in the city.
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 Wageningen University, 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. In the season 2005/06, the club nearly escaped from a bankrupt. Its Cambuurstadion opened in 1995.
Famous people from Leeuwarden
Transport
Train routes with starting number of the train number series:
References
External links
