Leeuwarden

The name "Leeuwarden" (or older variants of it) first came into use for Nijehove, the most important of the three villages (the other two being Oldehove and Hoek) which in the early 9th century merged into Leeuwarden (Villa Lintarwrde {{circa}} 825).{{Harvnb|Groot|Karstkarel|Kuipers|1984|p=10}} There is much uncertainty about the origin of the city's name. Historian and archivist Wopke Eekhoff summed up a total of over 200 different spelling variants, of which Leeuwarden (Dutch), Liwwadden (Stadsfries), and Ljouwert (West Frisian) are still in use.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180423-the-dutch-city-with-a-constantly-changing-name|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211102703/http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180423-the-dutch-city-with-a-constantly-changing-name|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-12-11|title=BBC - Travel - The Dutch city with a constantly changing name|date=2019-12-11|access-date=2020-02-08}}{{Harvnb|Groot|Karstkarel|Kuipers|1984|p=12}}

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.

The first part of the name, leeuw, means lion in modern standard Dutch. This interpretation corresponds with the coat of arms adopted by the city, which features a heraldic lion. However, modern standard Dutch was not used in this region in the Middle Ages, when the city was called Lintarwrde. Some scholars argue that the name of the city is derived from leeu-, a corruption of luw- (Dutch for 'sheltered from the wind', cf. the maritime term leeward) or from lee- (a Dutch word for waterway). 'Sheltered landing place or harbour' could be the original meaning. This suits the watery province of Friesland and the position of the original three villages at the end of an important estuary called Middelzee.

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.

File:Beschrijving van Heerlijkheydt van Friesland door Bernardus Schotanus à Sterringa uitgegeven in 1664 leeuwarden.JPG

File:Duit 1702 - Netherlands (Friesland - Frisia).jpg

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. {{Citation needed|reason=Authority granting this should be identified|date=December 2024}} Situated along the Middelzee, it was an active centre of maritime trade.[https://historischcentrumleeuwarden.nl/english Stadsgeschiedenis Leeuwarden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405012409/https://historischcentrumleeuwarden.nl/english |date=5 April 2023 }}, Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden. The waterway silted-up in the 13th century.Langen, G. de Leeuwarden 750 - 2000 Hoofdstad van Friesland p. 19 (Franeker 1999)

{{Historical populations

|title = Historical population

|align = right

|cols =

|pop_name =

|percentages = pagr

|footnote =

|source = {{Harvnb|Lourens|Lucassen|1997|pp=13–15}} (1398–1795)

|1511|4360

|1565|6600

|1606|11330

|1666|16500

|1689|14300

|1744|13490

|1793|16446

|1795|12707

}}

The Grote or Jacobijnerkerk ({{langx|en|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.[http://www.duiten.nl/friesland.html De muntslag van Friesland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125161845/http://www.duiten.nl/friesland.html |date=25 November 2023 }} www.duiten.nl

The Jewish community of Leeuwarden was one of the earliest in the Netherlands aside from Amsterdam, and was first mentioned in 1645.{{cite web |title=The Jewish Community of Leeuwarden |url=https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/leeuwarden |publisher=The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot |access-date=17 June 2018 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115822/https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/leeuwarden |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=The Jewish community of the city of Leeuwarden|url=https://www.dutchjewry.org/drieluik/leeuwarden/leeuwarden.shtml|publisher=www.dutchjewry.org|access-date=8 September 2018|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405235500/https://www.dutchjewry.org/drieluik/leeuwarden/leeuwarden.shtml|url-status=live}} 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. Land for 'The Jodenkerkhof' (Jews' cemetery) was purchased in 1679, near the Oldehove tower.

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. 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.

File:Crowd welcoming the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders of Canada to Leeuwarden.jpg, 16 April 1945]]

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.){{Cite web|url=https://army.ca/forums/index.php?topic=29655.0|title=Army.ca forums|date=15 April 2005|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416073619/https://army.ca/forums/index.php?topic=29655.0|url-status=live}}

Kneppelfreed ({{langx|en|Baton Friday}}) was an incident on 16 November 1951 in front of the courthouse at Wilhelminaplein (Wilhelmina Square), when the police used batons against Frisian language activists during a protest against the exclusive use of Dutch in the courts.[http://www.11en30.nu/de-canon-vensters/kneppelfreed?language=ned Canon of Frisian History - Kneppelfreed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115328/http://www.11en30.nu/de-canon-vensters/kneppelfreed?language=ned |date=17 August 2024 }} 11en30.nu Retrieved 28 March 2018. A committee of inquiry recommended that the Frisian language should receive legal status as a minority language.

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.efsca.org/IRD/Incident%20research%20%20De%20Kelders%20te%20Leeuwarden%20ENGELS.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328231002/http://www.efsca.org/IRD/Incident%20research%20%20De%20Kelders%20te%20Leeuwarden%20ENGELS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 March 2018|title=Summary of inspection report of fire along De Kelders in Leeuwarden, 19 October 2013|date=19 October 2013|website=European Fire Service Colleges' Association|access-date=18 July 2017}} The birthplace of Mata Hari was at first thought to be destroyed, but survived, albeit with considerable smoke and water damage.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/hoy-san-diego/sdhoy-fire-destroys-house-where-mata-hari-was-born-2013oct20-story.html|title=Fire destroys house where Mata Hari was born|date=20 October 2013|website=San Diego Union Tribune|language=en|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328164633/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/hoy-san-diego/sdhoy-fire-destroys-house-where-mata-hari-was-born-2013oct20-story.html|url-status=live}}

The coat of arms of Leeuwarden is the official symbol of the municipality. It consists of a blue escutcheon, a golden lion, and a crown. The fact that Leeuwarden carries a lion in its seal seems logical, considering that "Leeuw" is Dutch for "Lion". However, it is very plausible the oldest name of the city conceals an indication of water rather than an animal, and some sources suggest that the lion may have only been added after the name became official. It is also possible the coat of arms was a gift to the city from the powerful Minnema family.{{Cite book |last1=Jansma|first1=Klaas |title=Friesland en zijn 44 gemeenten |publisher= Friesch Dagblad|year=1981 |isbn=90-6480-015-4 |page=45 |location=Leeuwarden}}

{{clear}}

File:Leeuwarden-plaats-OpenTopo.jpg

File:Gem-Leeuwarden-OpenTopo.jpg

File:Bevolkingsontwikkeling gemeente Leeuwarden.jpg

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.[https://www.aquazoo.nl/en/ AquaZoo Friesland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312005648/https://www.aquazoo.nl/en/ |date=12 March 2019 }} Retrieved 2 April 2018.

On 1 January 2014 parts of the neighbouring Boarnsterhim municipality were added to Leeuwarden.{{cite web |url = http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/methoden/classificaties/overzicht/gemeentelijke-indeling/2014/default.htm |title = Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 2014 |trans-title = Municipal divisions on 1 January 2014 |language = nl |website = cbs.nl |publisher = CBS |access-date = 10 January 2014 |archive-date = 4 March 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062324/http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/methoden/classificaties/overzicht/gemeentelijke-indeling/2014/default.htm |url-status = live }} On 1 January 2018 it was enlarged by Leeuwarderadeel and parts of former municipality of Littenseradiel.

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

{{Weather box|width=auto

|location = Leeuwarden (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1951−present)

|single line = Y

|metric first = Y

|collapsed = Y

|Jan record high C = 13.1

|Feb record high C = 16.7

|Mar record high C = 23.7

|Apr record high C = 27.6

|May record high C = 29.6

|Jun record high C = 33.1

|Jul record high C = 34.8

|Aug record high C = 33.5

|Sep record high C = 30.2

|Oct record high C = 25.5

|Nov record high C = 18.2

|Dec record high C = 14.2

|Jan record low C = -19.9

|Feb record low C = -20.9

|Mar record low C = -16.3

|Apr record low C = -6.6

|May record low C = -3.0

|Jun record low C = 1.3

|Jul record low C = 5.5

|Aug record low C = 5.4

|Sep record low C = 1.7

|Oct record low C = -6.5

|Nov record low C = -14.2

|Dec record low C = -19.2

|Jan high C = 5.3

|Feb high C = 5.9

|Mar high C = 9.1

|Apr high C = 13.2

|May high C = 16.5

|Jun high C = 19.1

|Jul high C = 21.4

|Aug high C = 21.6

|Sep high C = 18.5

|Oct high C = 14.0

|Nov high C = 9.2

|Dec high C = 6.1

|year high C = 13.3

|Jan mean C = 3.1

|Feb mean C = 3.2

|Mar mean C = 5.5

|Apr mean C = 8.8

|May mean C = 12.2

|Jun mean C = 15.0

|Jul mean C = 17.3

|Aug mean C = 17.4

|Sep mean C = 14.5

|Oct mean C = 10.7

|Nov mean C = 6.7

|Dec mean C = 3.9

|year mean C = 9.9

|Jan low C = 0.5

|Feb low C = 0.3

|Mar low C = 1.9

|Apr low C = 4.2

|May low C = 7.6

|Jun low C = 10.5

|Jul low C = 12.9

|Aug low C = 12.9

|Sep low C = 10.5

|Oct low C = 7.2

|Nov low C = 3.9

|Dec low C = 1.2

|year low C = 6.1

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 68.6

|Feb precipitation mm = 55.5

|Mar precipitation mm = 49.1

|Apr precipitation mm = 39.1

|May precipitation mm = 54.5

|Jun precipitation mm = 69.9

|Jul precipitation mm = 77.7

|Aug precipitation mm = 93.7

|Sep precipitation mm = 82.3

|Oct precipitation mm = 79.6

|Nov precipitation mm = 77.9

|Dec precipitation mm = 81.5

|year precipitation mm = 829.4

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days =

|Feb precipitation days =

|Mar precipitation days =

|Apr precipitation days =

|May precipitation days =

|Jun precipitation days =

|Jul precipitation days =

|Aug precipitation days =

|Sep precipitation days =

|Oct precipitation days =

|Nov precipitation days =

|Dec precipitation days =

|Jan snow cm =

|Feb snow cm =

|Mar snow cm =

|Apr snow cm =

|May snow cm =

|Jun snow cm =

|Jul snow cm =

|Aug snow cm =

|Sep snow cm =

|Oct snow cm =

|Nov snow cm =

|Dec snow cm =

|year snow cm =

|unit snow days = 1 cm

|Jan snow days =

|Feb snow days =

|Mar snow days =

|Apr snow days =

|May snow days =

|Jun snow days =

|Jul snow days =

|Aug snow days =

|Sep snow days =

|Oct snow days =

|Nov snow days =

|Dec snow days =

|Jan humidity = 89.0

|Feb humidity = 86.9

|Mar humidity = 83.3

|Apr humidity = 79.3

|May humidity = 78.4

|Jun humidity = 79.6

|Jul humidity = 80.1

|Aug humidity = 80.9

|Sep humidity = 84.1

|Oct humidity = 86.6

|Nov humidity = 90.1

|Dec humidity = 90.3

|year humidity = 84.0

|Jan sun = 68.0

|Feb sun = 94.2

|Mar sun = 149.9

|Apr sun = 201.2

|May sun = 231.5

|Jun sun = 209.2

|Jul sun = 226.1

|Aug sun = 206.5

|Sep sun = 155.6

|Oct sun = 118.4

|Nov sun = 67.2

|Dec sun = 61.4

|year sun = 1789.2

|Jan percentsun = 26.9

|Feb percentsun = 33.8

|Mar percentsun = 40.7

|Apr percentsun = 48.0

|May percentsun = 47.2

|Jun percentsun = 41.3

|Jul percentsun = 44.4

|Aug percentsun = 45.0

|Sep percentsun = 40.7

|Oct percentsun = 35.8

|Nov percentsun = 25.7

|Dec percentsun = 26.0

|year percentsun =38.0

|source 1 = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute{{cite web

| url = https://weerstatistieken.nl/leeuwarden

| title = Weerstatistieken Leeuwarden

| publisher = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute

| access-date = June 24, 2022

| archive-date = 17 August 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115258/https://weerstatistieken.nl/leeuwarden

| url-status = live

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.knmi.nl/klimaat-viewer/grafieken-tabellen/meteorologische-stations/stations-maand/stations-maand_1991-2020

| title = Klimaatviewer 1991-2020

| publisher = Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute

| access-date = June 24, 2022

| archive-date = 25 May 2022

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220525060419/https://www.knmi.nl/klimaat-viewer/grafieken-tabellen/meteorologische-stations/stations-maand/stations-maand_1991-2020

| url-status = live

}}}}

As of 2020, Leeuwarden had a total population of 124,084.{{Cite web |title=CBS Statline |url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37713/table |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=opendata.cbs.nl |language=nl |archive-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725200732/https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37713/table |url-status=live }}

File: Leeuwarden - Keramiekmuseum Princessehof.jpg

Museums in the city of Leeuwarden:

• Fries Museum. An art, culture and history museum.[https://www.tresoar.nl/Pages/Default.aspx Tresoar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218014738/https://www.tresoar.nl/Pages/Default.aspx |date=18 December 2020 }}, Tresoar. Retrieved on 28 February 2018. The building (2013) was designed by Hubert-Jan Henket.
• Fries Verzetsmuseum, a museum that documents the impact of World War II on Friesland.[https://www.friesverzetsmuseum.nl/en/ Fries Verzetsmuseum], Fries Verzetsmuseum. Retrieved on 28 February 2018. The museum is part of the Fries Museum.
• Princessehof Ceramics Museum,[https://www.princessehof.nl/en/ Princessehof] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129200158/https://www.princessehof.nl/en/ |date=29 November 2020 }}, Princessehof Ceramics Museum. Retrieved on 28 February 2018. a ceramics museum.
• Pier Pander Museum, an art museum dedicated to the works of sculptor Pier Pander.
• Natuurmuseum Fryslân,{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.natuurmuseumfryslan.nl/ Natuurmuseum Fryslân] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031103736/http://www.natuurmuseumfryslan.nl/ |date=31 October 2020 }}, Natuurmuseum Fryslân. Retrieved on 28 February 2018. a natural history museum.
• The Other Museum. Collections: old-timers, model trains, lace and photography, radio and Meccano.[http://www.museumpakhuiskoophandel.nl/english/ The Other Museum]. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
• Tresoar, a historical centre and museum with archives about Friesland.
• Fries Landbouwmuseum, an agricultural museum.[https://landbouwmuseumfriesland.nl/ Fries Landbouwmuseum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909201809/https://landbouwmuseumfriesland.nl/ |date=9 September 2024 }}. Retrieved 14 January 2020.

There are over 800 Rijksmonuments (national heritage sites) in the municipality of Leeuwarden.[http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/ Monumentenregister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914124912/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/ |date=14 September 2017 }}, Official database of heritage sites 1 January 2018 . Retrieved on 1 March 2018. The Oldehove, a leaning unfinished church tower, is a symbol of the city. Other well-known buildings in the city centre include the Kanselarij (former chancellery), the Stadhouderlijk Hof (former residence of the stadtholders of Friesland), the city hall (1715), the Waag (old weigh house), the Saint Boniface church (an important part of the neogothic movement) and the Centraal Apotheek, a pharmacy in the Art Nouveau style. The Blokhuispoort is a former prison that has been transformed into a public library, hostel and restaurant.

The Froskepôlemolen (built in 1896), is the last surviving windmill to have stood in Leeuwarden. The remains of the Cammingha-Buurstermolen were demolished in 2000.{{cite book | last =Stichting De Fryske Mole | year = 1995| title = Friese Molens| pages = 69–73, 181, 183, 253 | publisher = Friese Pers Boekerij bv| location = Leeuwarden |language=nl |isbn= 90-330-1522-6}} The Slauerhoffbrug is a fully automatic bascule bridge named after the poet Jan Jacob Slauerhoff. It uses two arms to swing a section of road in and out of place within the road itself. This movable bridge is also known as the 'Flying' Drawbridge.

The tallest building in the city is the {{convert|114|m|ft|adj=on}} Achmeatoren (Achmea insurance tower), built in 2001 and designed by Abe Bonnema – who also designed the second-tallest building, Averotoren at {{convert|77|m|ft|abbr=on}}.

File:Leeuwarden, Netherlands - panoramio (26).jpg|Oldehove

File:20120519 Stadhuis Leeuwarden NL.jpg|City hall

File:Leeuwarden Blokhuispoort 40 Voormalige Gevangenis Blokhuispoort.jpg|Blokhuispoort

File:Leeuwarden, Netherlands - panoramio (23).jpg|Leeuwarden canal Kelders

File:Leeuwarden 1558.jpg|Centraal Apotheek

File:20190227 Love door Jaume Plensa Stationsplein Leeuwarden.jpg

On 6 September 2013 Leeuwarden was voted European Capital of Culture for the year 2018.{{cite web| url = http://www.2018.nl/en| title = Cultural capital website| access-date = 6 February 2017| archive-date = 6 February 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170206190706/http://www.2018.nl/en| url-status = live}} Many events were organised throughout the year.[https://www.friesland.nl/en/european-capital-of-culture european-capital-of-culture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119001507/https://www.friesland.nl/en/european-capital-of-culture |date=19 January 2018 }}. Retrieved on 1 March 2018.[https://2018.vanplan.nl/ LF2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726193938/https://2018.vanplan.nl/ |date=26 July 2021 }} Retrieved on 1 March 2018 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.[https://www.friesland.nl/en/locations/3485605413/11fountains-leeuwarden 11fountains-Leeuwarden] Retrieved 21 March 2018.

Annual music festivals are Cityrock, Dancetour, Welcome To The Village, Into the Grave, Explore the North[https://explore-the-north.nl/en/info Explore the North] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115243/https://explorethenorth.nl/info-en-aanmelding-jonge-schrijvers-lessenreeks/ |date=17 August 2024 }}. Retrieved 7 March 2018. and Fries straatfestival. Other festivals are Noordelijk Film Festival (an event for film makers), photofestival Noorderlicht and the Media Art festival. Other events are Racing Expo and a large flower market (held on Ascension Day).[https://www.leeuwarden.nl/nl/toeristische-informatie-leeuwarden Tourist information Leeuwarden] Retrieved on 2 March 2018. There is also a weekly cattle market.[http://www.veemarkt.nu/leeuwarden/ Cattle market Leeuwarden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412084851/http://www.veemarkt.nu/leeuwarden/ |date=12 April 2018 }}. Retrieved on 2 March 2018.

File:Station Leeuwarden, Stationsweg-8250.jpg and bus station in 2018]]

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.[http://www.ns.nl/actuele-vertrektijden/avt?station=LW Actuele vertrektijden Station Leeuwarden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812080533/http://www.ns.nl/actuele-vertrektijden/avt?station=LW |date=12 August 2016 }} (in Dutch), Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Retrieved 19 June 2016. The other stations in the municipality are Leeuwarden Camminghaburen, and Grou-Jirnsum. A fourth station Leeuwarden Werpsterhoeke was planned to be opened after 2018.[https://www.prorail.nl/projecten/leeuwarden-werpsterhoek Leeuwarden Werpsterhoeke] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115336/https://www.prorail.nl/projecten/onderdoorgangen-leeuwarden-werpsterhoeke |date=17 August 2024 }} (in Dutch), ProRail. Retrieved 19 June 2016.

Near the train station is the bus station. Arriva runs several city, regional and national buses.[https://www.arriva.nl/friesland-en-waddeneilanden/reisinformatie/dienstregeling.htm Arriva Dienstregeling Friesland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118064502/https://www.arriva.nl/friesland-en-waddeneilanden/reisinformatie/dienstregeling.htm |date=18 November 2020 }} (in Dutch), Arriva. Retrieved 8 March 2018. Route 66 Leeuwarden-Holwerd connects with the ferry to Ameland, bus route 50 to Lauwersoog connects with the departures of the ferry to Schiermonnikoog[https://www.wpd.nl/en/practical-information/schiermonnikoog/public-transportation/ Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten public transportation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200951/https://www.wpd.nl/en/practical-information/schiermonnikoog/public-transportation/ |date=28 September 2018 }} Retrieved on 8 March 2018. and route 350 via the Afsluitdijk connects to Alkmaar in North Holland.

The motorway A31 passes Leeuwarden and the A32 connects Leeuwarden to Meppel. The Van Harinxmakanaal is a major canal and connects Harlingen to Leeuwarden.

File:Stedelijk Gymnasium Leeuwarden.jpg

Leeuwarden has a number of respected schools of applied science (HBO in Dutch), (21,480 students in 2017),[https://leeuwarden.buurtmonitor.nl/Jive?var=ll_hbo HBO students Leeuwarden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115310/https://leeuwarden.incijfers.nl/Jive?var=ll_hbo |date=17 August 2024 }} Retrieved 1 April 2018. such as the Van Hall Instituut (agricultural and life sciences) and the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (hotel management, economical and media management).[https://www.nhlstenden.com/en NHL Stenden University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921001800/https://www.nhlstenden.com/en |date=21 September 2023 }} Retrieved 1 April 2018. In addition to higher education, the city is also home to three regional vocational schools (MBO): the Friese Poort, Friesland College, and Nordwin College.{{cite web| url = http://www.friesepoort.nl/| title = Friese Poort| access-date = 18 July 2005| archive-date = 29 June 2005| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050629015944/http://www.friesepoort.nl/| url-status = live}}{{cite web| url = https://www.fcroc.nl/| title = Friesland College| access-date = 18 July 2005| archive-date = 17 August 2024| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115242/https://www.firda.nl/| url-status = live}}{{cite web| url = http://www.nordwincollege.nl/| title = Nordwin College| access-date = 21 March 2014| archive-date = 8 April 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140408094604/http://www.nordwincollege.nl/| url-status = live}}

Although the city has no university of its own, several satellite campuses are located here, including Campus Fryslân (University of Groningen),[https://www.rug.nl/cf/ University of Groningen/Campus Fryslân] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002151651/https://www.rug.nl/cf/ |date=2 October 2023 }} Retrieved 1 April 2018. Dairy Campus (Wageningen University and Research)[https://www.dairycampus.nl/en/Home.htm Dairy Campus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529221915/https://www.dairycampus.nl/en/Home.htm |date=29 May 2023 }}. Retrieved 1 April 2018. and the Academie voor Popkultuur (Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen)

Technological Top Institute Wetsus does research into water-related technologies.[https://www.wetsus.nl Wetsus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115811/https://www.wetsus.nl/ |date=17 August 2024 }} Retrieved 1 April 2018. Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) is the knowledge and innovation centre for applied research and product development in the field of water technology[https://www.cew-leeuwarden.nl/ CEW Leeuwarden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610115333/https://www.cew-leeuwarden.nl/ |date=10 June 2023 }} Retrieved 1 April 2018. and the Wadden Academy to study and research the Wadden Sea.[https://www.waddenacademie.nl/en/ Wadden Academy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115839/https://www.waddenacademie.nl/en/ |date=17 August 2024 }} Retrieved 1 April 2018.

File:WTC Expo Leeuwarden.jpg

Among the 10 largest employers in Leeuwarden are Medical Center Leeuwarden (MCL), ING, The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB),{{cite web| url = https://www.cjib.nl/en| title = CJIB| access-date = 8 April 2018| archive-date = 1 December 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231201021342/https://www.cjib.nl/en| url-status = live}} Achmea, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden Air Base and FrieslandCampina.Gemeentegids Leeuwarden 2011 WTC Expo is the largest events complex in the Northern Netherlands.[https://wtcexpo.nl/en/ WTC Expo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803021038/https://wtcexpo.nl/en/ |date=3 August 2020 }} Retrieved 3 April 2018.

The city's local football team, SC Cambuur, are playing in the second tier Eerste Divisie. Their home ground is the Cambuurstadion, which has a capacity of 10,500. The city's basketball team, Aris Leeuwarden, has played in the Dutch Basketball League since 2004.

File:Finish 11-stedentocht 1956.jpg}} in 1956]]

The Elfstedenhal is a sport venue. The stadium is used for long track speed skating, short track speed skating, ice hockey, figure skating and curling.[http://www.elfstedenhal.frl/. Elfstedenhal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303225313/http://www.elfstedenhal.frl/ |date=3 March 2018 }} Retrieved on 3 March 2018. The 400m indoor speed skating oval is named after speed skater Atje Keulen-Deelstra. The ice hockey club is IJshockeyclub Capitals Leeuwarden (IJCCL).[https://capitalsleeuwarden.nl/ capitalsleeuwarden] ice hockey club. Retrieved on 3 March 2018.

Leeuwarden is the starting and finishing point for the celebrated {{lang|nl|Elfstedentocht}}, a {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} speed skating race over the Frisian waterways that is held when winter conditions in the province allow. {{As of |2018|post=,}} it last took place in January 1997, preceded by the races of 1986 and 1985. In 1986, the Dutch king Willem-Alexander participated in the Eleven cities tour, with the pseudonym W.A. van Buren, which is the pseudonym of the royal family of the Netherlands.

Loop Leeuwarden[https://www.loopleeuwarden.frl/ Loop Leeuwarden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115756/https://www.loopleeuwarden.frl/ |date=17 August 2024 }}. Retrieved on 2 March 2018. 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.[http://wfdf.org/news-media/news/press/2-official-communication/865-wfdf-announces-that-the-wfdf-2020-world-ultimate-and-guts-championships-will-be-held-in-leeuwarden WFDF 2020 World Ultimate and Guts Championships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115800/https://old.wfdf.sport/news-media/news/press/2-official-communication/865-wfdf-announces-that-the-wfdf-2020-world-ultimate-and-guts-championships-will-be-held-in-leeuwarden |date=17 August 2024 }}, World Flying Disc Federation. Retrieved on 21 May 2019. The event was cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic).

The Leeuwarder Courant{{in lang|nl}} [https://www.lc.nl/ LC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909201808/https://lc.nl/ |date=9 September 2024 }} Leeuwarder Courant. Retrieved on 6 March 2018. and Friesch Dagblad{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.frieschdagblad.nl/ Friesch Dagblad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310140153/http://www.frieschdagblad.nl/ |date=10 March 2018 }}, Friesch Dagblad. Retrieved on 6 March 2018. are daily newspapers mainly written in Dutch (published by the NDC Mediagroep). Omrop Fryslân is a public broadcaster with radio and TV programs mainly in Frisian.{{in lang|fy}} [https://www.omropfryslan.nl/ Omrop Fryslan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909201810/https://www.omropfryslan.nl/fy |date=9 September 2024 }}, Omrop Fryslân. Retrieved on 6 March 2018.

{{Main|List of people from Leeuwarden}}

File:Willem Karel Hendrik Friso van Oranje-Nassau, attributed to Johann Valentin Tischbein.jpg

File:Mata Hari 13.jpg

• 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[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006119/ IMDb Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909201810/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006119/ |date=9 September 2024 }} retrieved 11 February 2020
• 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 ({{circa}} 1490–1523), military commander
• Mata Hari (1876–1917), exotic dancer and courtesan, possible double agent[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1299792/ IMDb Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112103551/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1299792/ |date=12 November 2021 }} retrieved 11 February 2020
• Hendrik Niehoff (1495–{{circa}} 1561), pipe organ maker
• Piet Paaltjens (1835–1894), minister and romantic author
• Joachim van Plettenberg (1739–1793), colonial governor
• Tjitske Reidinga (born 1972), actress[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0714921/ IMDb Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906072316/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0714921/ |date=6 September 2020 }} retrieved 11 February 2020
• 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
• Saskia van Uylenburg (1612–1642), wife of the painter Rembrandt van Rijn
• Lodewijk Caspar Valckenaer (1715–1785), classical scholar
• Rinskje Visscher (1868–1950), first female municipal archivist in the Netherlands
• Campegius Vitringa (1659–1722), theologian
• Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527–{{circa}} 1607), architect, painter, and engineer
• Harm Wiersma (born 1953), draughts player and politician
• William IV, Prince of Orange (1711–1751), stadtholder
• Joost Klein (born 1997), rapper/singer and Participant of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

File:Sybrand van Haersma Buma 2012.jpg in 2012]]

In the Netherlands, a municipality is governed by the college of mayor and aldermen and the municipal council. Sybrand van Haersma Buma of the CDA has been mayor of Leeuwarden since 26 August 2019. Since the 2014 municipal elections, the Labour Party (3 aldermen), Christian Democratic Appeal (2 aldermen), PAL GroenLinks (1 alderman) form a coalition.[https://www.overheidinfriesland.nl/leeuwarden/s/136 Gemeente Leeuwarden (Friesland)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817115842/https://www.overheidinfriesland.nl/gemeente/leeuwarden |date=17 August 2024 }} (in Dutch), Overheid in Friesland. Retrieved 19 June 2016. The municipal council of Leeuwarden has 39 seats.[http://www.gemeenteraadleeuwarden.nl/nl/gemeenteraadsleden-en-ondersteuning Gemeenteraadsleden en ondersteuning] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706080058/https://www.gemeenteraadleeuwarden.nl/nl/gemeenteraadsleden-en-ondersteuning |date=6 July 2022 }} (in Dutch), Municipality of Leeuwarden. Retrieved 19 June 2016.

As provincial capital, Leeuwarden is also the seat of the King's Commissioner Arno Brok and the Provincial Council of Friesland.

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands}}

The city of Leeuwarden is twinned with

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=Lourens |first1=Piet |last2=Lucassen |first2=Jan |title=Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800 |year=1997 |place=Amsterdam |publisher=NEHA |isbn=9057420082 }}
• {{cite book|last1=Groot|first1=P.J. de|last2=Karstkarel|first2=G.P.|last3=Kuipers|first3=W.H.|title=Leeuwarden, beeld van een stad. Zeven eeuwen stadsleven in woord en beeld|publisher=Friese Pers Boekerij|location=Leeuwarden|year=1984|isbn=90-3301341X}}

{{Refend}}

{{Sister project links|commons=Leeuwarden |voy=Leeuwarden|b=no|q=no}}

{{Portal|Netherlands}}

• {{Official website|https://www.leeuwarden.nl}}
• [https://www.mooileeuwarden.nl/en Tourist information about Leeuwarden]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Leeuwarden

|North = Noardeast-Fryslân

|East = Tytsjerksteradiel

|Southeast = Smallingerland

|South = De Fryske Marren, Heerenveen

|Southwest = Súdwest-Fryslân

|West = Waadhoeke

}}

{{Dutch municipality Leeuwarden}}

{{Dutch capital cities}}

{{European Capital of Culture}}

{{Friesland Province}}

{{Frisian cities}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Friesland

Category:Cities in the Netherlands

Category:Municipalities of Friesland

Category:Populated places in Friesland

Category:Provincial capitals of the Netherlands