Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden
| |
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City and municipality | |
UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Postcode | 8900–8941 |
Area code | 058 |
Website | www |
Leeuwarden (Dutch: [ˈleːu.ɑrdə(n)] ⓘ; West Frisian: Ljouwert [ˈljɔːʋ(ə)t]/[ˈʎɔːw(ə)t] ⓘ; Town Frisian: Liwwadden; Leeuwarder dialect: Leewarden) is a city and municipality in Friesland, Netherlands, with a population of 127,073 (2023). It is the provincial capital and seat of the Provincial Council of Friesland.
The region has been continuously inhabited since the 10th century. It came to be known as Leeuwarden in the early 9th century AD and was granted city privileges in 1435. It is the main economic hub of Friesland, situated in a green and water-rich environment. Leeuwarden is a former royal residence and has a historic city centre, many historically relevant buildings, and a large shopping centre with squares and restaurants. Leeuwarden was awarded the title European Capital of Culture for 2018. Also, Leeuwarden has been a UNESCO City of Literature since 2019.
The Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour), an ice skating tour passing the eleven cities of Friesland, starts and finishes in Leeuwarden.
The following towns and villages within the municipality have populations in excess of 1,000 people: Leeuwarden, Stiens, Grou, Goutum, Wergea, Jirnsum, Reduzum, and Wirdum. The municipality is governed by the mayor Sybrand van Haersma Buma and a coalition of the Labour Party, Christian Democratic Appeal, and GreenLeft.
Etymology
The name "Leeuwarden" (or older variants of it) first came into use for
The second part of the name is easily explained: Warden, West Frisian/Dutch/Low German for an artificial dwelling-hill, is a designation of terps, reflecting the historical situation.[8]
The first part of the name, leeuw, means
The name is also similar to that of the French commune Lewarde, located in the Nord Department, an originally Flemish-speaking area annexed to France in the 17th century. Western Flemish was related to Frisian and also to Saxon up to the 11th century.
History
The oldest remains of houses date back to the 2nd century AD in the Roman era and were discovered during an excavation near the Oldehove. Inhabited continuously since the 10th century, the city's first reference as a population centre is in German sources from 1285, and records exist of city privileges granted in 1435. Situated along the Middelzee, it was an active centre of maritime trade.[9] The waterway silted-up in the 13th century.[10]
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1511 | 4,360 | — |
1565 | 6,600 | +0.77% |
1606 | 11,330 | +1.33% |
1666 | 16,500 | +0.63% |
1689 | 14,300 | −0.62% |
1744 | 13,490 | −0.11% |
1793 | 16,446 | +0.41% |
1795 | 12,707 | −12.10% |
Source: Lourens & Lucassen 1997, pp. 13–15 (1398–1795) |
The Grote of Jacobijnerkerk (English: Great, or Jacobin Church) is the oldest building in the city. The 15th century was the period of the two opposing Frisian factional parties Vetkopers and Schieringers. The bastions and a moat were built in the period 1481–1494. In 1747 William IV, Prince of Orange was the last stadtholder residing in the Stadhouderlijk Hof. In the first half of the 19th century the fortifications were demolished.
From 1580 to 1752, a provincial mint operated in the city, minting gold, silver and copper coins of Friesland.[11]
The Jewish community of Leeuwarden was one of the earliest in the Netherlands aside from Amsterdam, and was first mentioned in 1645.[12][13] By 1670, the city council granted a man referred to as "Jacob the Jew" (in Dutch) permission to build a Jewish cemetery, meaning that there were enough Jews living there to require a cemetery and other communal institutions.[12] Land for 'The Jodenkerkhof' (Jews' cemetery) was purchased in 1679, near the Oldehove tower.[13]
The first synagogue in the city was built in the 17th century, and was also used by the city's Catholics who were not allowed to build a house of worship of their own because of the Protestant city authorities.[12] The Jewish community enjoyed generally good relations with authorities in the 18th century and continued to expand throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, reaching a peak population of 1,236 in 1860.[12]
In 1901 the city's population was 32,203.
Leeuwarden, like the rest of the Netherlands, was occupied by German forces in 1940–1945. This ended when elements of the Royal Canadian Dragoons seized the initiative and advanced into the heavily-defended city on 15 April 1945, ignoring direct orders to wait for supporting infantry. German forces had been driven out by the end of the next day. (The anniversary is marked by both the Dragoons and the city, by flying each other's flags every 15 April.)[14]
On 19 October 2013, a fire broke out in a clothes shop on a busy pedestrian street. The fire started late in the afternoon and burned through the night, destroying five shops and eleven flats. The only casualty was a 24-year-old man who was living in one of the flats.[16] The birthplace of Mata Hari was at first thought to be destroyed, but survived, albeit with considerable smoke and water damage.[17]
Heraldry
The
Geography
Leeuwarden is located centrally in Friesland. The military Leeuwarden Air Base lies northwest of the city. East of the city lies recreational area and nature reserve De Groene Ster. It contains the windmill Himriksmole, a golf course and AquaZoo Friesland.[19]
Population centres
On 1 January 2014 parts of the neighbouring Boarnsterhim municipality were added to Leeuwarden.[20] On 1 January 2018 it was enlarged by Leeuwarderadeel and parts of former municipality of Littenseradiel.
Dutch name | West Frisian name | Population |
Leeuwarden | Ljouwert | 92,146 |
Stiens | Stiens | 7,545 |
Grouw | Grou | 5,655 |
Goutum | Goutum | 2,945 |
Warga | Wergea | 1,685 |
Irnsum | Jirnsum | 1,360 |
Wirdum | Wurdum | 1,210 |
Mantgum | Mantgum | 1,175 |
Roordahuizum | Reduzum | 1,125 |
Britsum | Britsum | 960 |
Wartena | Warten | 915 |
Wytgaard | Wytgaard | 570 |
Weidum | Weidum | 570 |
Cornjum | Koarnjum | 435 |
Oosterlittens | Easterlittens | 435 |
Lekkum | Lekkum | 425 |
Hijum | Hijum | 415 |
Jorwerd | Jorwert | 335 |
Jelsum | Jelsum | 325 |
Hijlaard | Hilaard | 295 |
Oude Leije | Alde Leie | 255 |
Snakkerburen | Snakkerbuorren | 225 |
Finkum | Feinsum | 205 |
Baard | Baard | 185 |
Hempens | Himpens | 155 |
Jellum | Jellum | 150 |
Beers | Bears | 125 |
Huins | Húns | 115 |
Idaard | Idaerd | 80 |
Friens | Friens | 80 |
Swichum | Swichum | 50 |
Warstiens | Warstiens | 35 |
Aegum | Eagum | 35 |
Miedum | Miedum | 30 |
Lions | Leons | 26 |
Teerns | Tearns | 16 |
Total | 122,293 | |
Source: Statistics Netherlands[21][22] |
Hamlets
The hamlets within the municipality are: Abbenwier, Angwier, Baarderbuorren, Bartlehiem (partially), De Him, De Hoek, De Trije Romers, Domwier, Finsterbuorren, Fûns, Groote Bontekoe, Goatum, Hesens, Hoarne, Hoptille, It Hoflân, It Wiel, Marwert, Midsbuorren, Narderbuorren, Noardein, Oude Schouw (partially), Poelhuzen, Rewert (partially), Skillaerd, Skrins, Suderbuorren, Suorein, Tichelwurk, Truerd, Tsienzerbuorren, Tsjaard, Tsjeintgum, Vierhuis, Vrouwbuurtstermolen (partially), Wammert and Wieuwens
Climate
Climate data for Leeuwarden (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1951−present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 13.1 (55.6) |
16.7 (62.1) |
23.7 (74.7) |
27.6 (81.7) |
29.6 (85.3) |
33.1 (91.6) |
34.8 (94.6) |
33.5 (92.3) |
30.2 (86.4) |
25.5 (77.9) |
18.2 (64.8) |
14.2 (57.6) |
34.8 (94.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 5.3 (41.5) |
5.9 (42.6) |
9.1 (48.4) |
13.2 (55.8) |
16.5 (61.7) |
19.1 (66.4) |
21.4 (70.5) |
21.6 (70.9) |
18.5 (65.3) |
14.0 (57.2) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.1 (43.0) |
13.3 (55.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 3.1 (37.6) |
3.2 (37.8) |
5.5 (41.9) |
8.8 (47.8) |
12.2 (54.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.3 (63.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
14.5 (58.1) |
10.7 (51.3) |
6.7 (44.1) |
3.9 (39.0) |
9.9 (49.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 0.5 (32.9) |
0.3 (32.5) |
1.9 (35.4) |
4.2 (39.6) |
7.6 (45.7) |
10.5 (50.9) |
12.9 (55.2) |
12.9 (55.2) |
10.5 (50.9) |
7.2 (45.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
1.2 (34.2) |
6.1 (43.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | −19.9 (−3.8) |
−20.9 (−5.6) |
−16.3 (2.7) |
−6.6 (20.1) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
1.3 (34.3) |
5.5 (41.9) |
5.4 (41.7) |
1.7 (35.1) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−14.2 (6.4) |
−19.2 (−2.6) |
−20.9 (−5.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 68.6 (2.70) |
55.5 (2.19) |
49.1 (1.93) |
39.1 (1.54) |
54.5 (2.15) |
69.9 (2.75) |
77.7 (3.06) |
93.7 (3.69) |
82.3 (3.24) |
79.6 (3.13) |
77.9 (3.07) |
81.5 (3.21) |
829.4 (32.65) |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
89.0 | 86.9 | 83.3 | 79.3 | 78.4 | 79.6 | 80.1 | 80.9 | 84.1 | 86.6 | 90.1 | 90.3 | 84.0 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 68.0 | 94.2 | 149.9 | 201.2 | 231.5 | 209.2 | 226.1 | 206.5 | 155.6 | 118.4 | 67.2 | 61.4 | 1,789.2 |
Percent possible sunshine | 26.9 | 33.8 | 40.7 | 48.0 | 47.2 | 41.3 | 44.4 | 45.0 | 40.7 | 35.8 | 25.7 | 26.0 | 38.0 |
Source: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute[23][24] |
Demographics
As of 2020, Leeuwarden had a total population of 124,084.[25]
Inhabitants by origin
2020[26] | Numbers | % |
---|---|---|
Dutch natives | 102,099 | 82.2% |
Western migration background | 9,745 | 7.8% |
Non-Western migration background | 12,240 | 9.8% |
Indonesia | 2,276 | 1.83% |
Netherlands Antilles and Aruba | 1,589 | 1.28% |
Suriname | 1,483 | 1.19% |
Morocco | 1,081 | 0.87% |
Turkey | 547 | 0.4% |
Total | 124,084 | 100% |
Culture
Museums
Museums in the city of Leeuwarden:
- Fries Museum. An art, culture and history museum.[27] The building (2013) was designed by Hubert-Jan Henket.
- Fries Verzetsmuseum, a museum that documents the impact of World War II on Friesland.[28] The museum is part of the Fries Museum.
- Princessehof Ceramics Museum,[29] a ceramics museum.
- Pier Pander Museum, an art museum dedicated to the works of sculptor Pier Pander.
- Natuurmuseum Fryslân,[30] a natural history museum.
- The Other Museum. Collections: old-timers, model trains, lace and photography, radio and Meccano.[31]
- Tresoar, a historical centre and museum with archives about Friesland.[27]
- Fries Landbouwmuseum, an agricultural museum.[32]
Architecture
There are over 800
The
The tallest building in the city is the 114-metre (374 ft) Achmeatoren (Achmea insurance tower), built in 2001 and designed by Abe Bonnema – who also designed the second-tallest building, Averotoren at 77 m (253 ft).
-
City hall
-
Blokhuispoort
-
Leeuwarden canal Kelders
-
Centraal Apotheek
Cultural events and festivals
On 6 September 2013 Leeuwarden was voted European Capital of Culture for the year 2018.[35] Many events were organised throughout the year.[36][37] The largest art project was the 11Fountains, fountains in the Frisian eleven cities. The Love Fountain, located in front of the train station, was designed by artist Jaume Plensa. The fountain is seven metres high and consists of two white heads of a boy and a girl, their eyes closed and dreaming.[38]
Annual music festivals are Cityrock, Dancetour, Welcome To The Village, Into the Grave, Explore the North
Transport
Leeuwarden railway station (opened on 27 October 1863) is the main railway station of Leeuwarden. It is a terminus station of the NS railway line from Zwolle. Regional trains, served by Arriva, operate to Groningen in the east, Harlingen in the west and Stavoren in the southwest.[42] The other stations in the municipality are Leeuwarden Camminghaburen, and Grou-Jirnsum. A fourth station Leeuwarden Werpsterhoeke was planned to be opened after 2018.[43]
Near the train station is the bus station. Arriva runs several city, regional and national buses.
The motorway A31 passes Leeuwarden and the A32 connects Leeuwarden to Meppel. The Van Harinxmakanaal is a major canal and connects Harlingen to Leeuwarden.
Education
Leeuwarden has a number of respected
Although the city has no university of its own, several
Technological Top Institute Wetsus does research into water management and related technologies.[53] Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) is the knowledge and innovation centre for applied research and product development in the field of water technology[54] and the Wadden Academy to study and research the Wadden Sea.[55]
Economy
Among the 10 largest employers in Leeuwarden are Medical Center Leeuwarden (MCL), ING, The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB),[56] Achmea, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden Air Base and FrieslandCampina.[57] WTC Expo is the largest events complex in the Northern Netherlands.[58]
Sports
The city's local football team,
The Elfstedenhal is a sport venue. The stadium is used for
Leeuwarden is the starting and finishing point for the celebrated
Loop Leeuwarden[61] is an annual road running competition (5 km, 10 km and half marathon races). The race was first held in 1985 and takes place in May. It attracts amateur runners. The city of Leeuwarden has two sailing boats (skûtsje) racing in the yearly sailing competition Skûtsjesilen.
Leeuwarden was to be the host of the World Flying Disc Federation 2020 World Ultimate and Guts Championships from the 11th to the 18th of July. The event was expected to have over 2500 athletes from 40 countries.[62] The event was cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic).
Media
The
Notable residents
- Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912), knighted painter
- Eva and Abraham Beem (1932/1934–1944), young Jewish Holocaust victims
- Cornelis Botke (1887–1954), painter and etcher
- Cisca Dresselhuys (born 1943), journalist and magazine editor
- Esmée van Eeghen (1918–1944), resistance fighter in World War II
- Dirk van Erp (1860–1933), artisan and metalsmith
- M. C. Escher (1898–1972), graphic artist
- Richard Hageman (1881–1966), conductor, pianist, composer, and actor[66]
- Willem van Haren (1710–1768), poet
- Havank (1904–1964), writer, journalist, and translator
- Wilhelmina van Idsinga (1788–1819), painter
- Johannes Henricus Gerardus Jansen (1868–1936), archbishop
- Wijerd Jelckama (c. 1490–1523), military commander
- Mata Hari (1876–1917), exotic dancer and courtesan, possible double agent[67]
- Hendrik Niehoff (1495–c. 1561), pipe organ maker
- Piet Paaltjens (1835–1894), minister and romantic author
- Joachim van Plettenberg (1739–1793), colonial governor
- Tjitske Reidinga (born 1972), actress[68]
- Jan Jacob Slauerhoff(1898–1936), poet and novelist
- Abraham Lambertsz van den Tempel (1622-1672), painter
- Pieter Jelles Troelstra (1860–1930), politician
- Cornelis Adriaan Lobry van Troostenburg de Bruyn (1857–1904), chemist
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Lodewijk Caspar Valckenaer (1715–1785), classical scholar
- Campegius Vitringa (1659-1722), theologian
- Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527–c. 1607), architect, painter, and engineer
- Harm Wiersma (born 1953), draughts player and politician
- William IV, Prince of Orange (1711-1751), stadtholder
Politics
In the Netherlands, a municipality is governed by the
As provincial capital, Leeuwarden is also the seat of the
International relations
The city of Leeuwarden is
References
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- ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Postcodetool for 8911DH". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; Regionale kerncijfers Nederland" [Regional core figures Netherlands]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- ^ Groot, Karstkarel & Kuipers 1984, p. 10
- ^ "BBC - Travel - The Dutch city with a constantly changing name". 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Groot, Karstkarel & Kuipers 1984, p. 12
- ^ Stadsgeschiedenis Leeuwarden, Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden.
- ^ Langen, G. de Leeuwarden 750 - 2000 Hoofdstad van Friesland p. 19 (Franeker 1999)
- ^ De muntslag van Friesland www.duiten.nl
- ^ a b c d "The Jewish Community of Leeuwarden". The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ a b "The Jewish community of the city of Leeuwarden". www.dutchjewry.org.
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- ^ Canon of Frisian History - Kneppelfreed 11en30.nu Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ "Summary of inspection report of fire along De Kelders in Leeuwarden, 19 October 2013" (PDF). European Fire Service Colleges' Association. 19 October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ^ "Fire destroys house where Mata Hari was born". San Diego Union Tribune. 20 October 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ISBN 90-6480-015-4.
- ^ AquaZoo Friesland Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 2014" [Municipal divisions on 1 January 2014]. cbs.nl (in Dutch). CBS. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
- ^ Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2017 [Key figures for neighbourhoods], CBS Statline (in Dutch) CBS 2 Februari 2018 . Retrieved on 1 March 2018.
- ^ Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand, [Population growth; regions per month], CBS Statline (in Dutch) CBS 28 Februari 2018 . Retrieved on 1 March 2018.
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- ^ "CBS Statline". opendata.cbs.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ a b Tresoar Archived 18 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Tresoar. Retrieved on 28 February 2018.
- ^ Fries Verzetsmuseum, Fries Verzetsmuseum. Retrieved on 28 February 2018.
- ^ Princessehof, Princessehof Ceramics Museum. Retrieved on 28 February 2018.
- ^ (in Dutch) Natuurmuseum Fryslân, Natuurmuseum Fryslân. Retrieved on 28 February 2018.
- ^ The Other Museum. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ^ Fries Landbouwmuseum. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ Monumentenregister, Official database of heritage sites 1 January 2018 . Retrieved on 1 March 2018.
- ISBN 90-330-1522-6.
- ^ "Cultural capital website".
- ^ european-capital-of-culture Archived 19 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 1 March 2018.
- ^ LF2018 Retrieved on 1 March 2018
- ^ 11fountains-Leeuwarden Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ Explore the North. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ Tourist information Leeuwarden Retrieved on 2 March 2018.
- ^ Cattle market Leeuwarden. Retrieved on 2 March 2018.
- ^ Actuele vertrektijden Station Leeuwarden (in Dutch), Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ Leeuwarden Werpsterhoeke (in Dutch), ProRail. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ Arriva Dienstregeling Friesland (in Dutch), Arriva. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten public transportation Archived 28 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 8 March 2018.
- ^ HBO students Leeuwarden Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ NHL Stenden University Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ "Friese Poort".
- ^ "Friesland College".
- ^ "Nordwin College".
- ^ University of Groningen/Campus Fryslân Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ Dairy Campus. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ Wetsus Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ CEW Leeuwarden Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ Wadden Academy Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ "CJIB".
- ^ Gemeentegids Leeuwarden 2011
- ^ WTC Expo Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ Elfstedenhal Archived 3 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 3 March 2018.
- ^ capitalsleeuwarden ice hockey club. Retrieved on 3 March 2018.
- ^ Loop Leeuwarden. Retrieved on 2 March 2018.
- ^ WFDF 2020 World Ultimate and Guts Championships, World Flying Disc Federation. Retrieved on 21 May 2019.
- ^ (in Dutch) LC Leeuwarder Courant. Retrieved on 6 March 2018.
- ^ (in Dutch) Friesch Dagblad, Friesch Dagblad. Retrieved on 6 March 2018.
- ^ (in West Frisian) Omrop Fryslan, Omrop Fryslân. Retrieved on 6 March 2018.
- ^ IMDb Database retrieved 11 February 2020
- ^ IMDb Database retrieved 11 February 2020
- ^ IMDb Database retrieved 11 February 2020
- ^ Gemeente Leeuwarden (Friesland) (in Dutch), Overheid in Friesland. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ Gemeenteraadsleden en ondersteuning (in Dutch), Municipality of Leeuwarden. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
Bibliography
- Lourens, Piet; Lucassen, Jan (1997). Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800. Amsterdam: NEHA. ISBN 9057420082.
- Groot, P.J. de; Karstkarel, G.P.; Kuipers, W.H. (1984). Leeuwarden, beeld van een stad. Zeven eeuwen stadsleven in woord en beeld. Leeuwarden: Friese Pers Boekerij. ISBN 90-3301341X.