Franeker City Hall

Franeker is a small town in the north-west of Friesland, and for more than two centuries it had a university, which gave it a standing far beyond what its size would suggest. The old centre still holds the buildings of that period of prosperity, and the town hall, the Stadhuis, is among the finest. It dates from the late sixteenth century and is in the style known as Dutch Renaissance, a lively version of the Italian fashion adapted to local materials and tastes, with brick walls, stone dressings, tall windows and an ornate gable. Its look reflects the wealth of Franeker when the university brought scholars, students and money to the town.

The facade is the principal attraction. Stepped gables, carved stonework, decorative bands and coats of arms combine in a restrained but elegant composition, and details such as statues and inscriptions refer to justice and good government, themes suited to a building where a council met and cases were judged. The architects of the time often used such symbols to communicate the ideals of the city, and the stonework repays a close look. The building is on the main street and faces the centre of the town, so it is easy to see as part of a walk.

The town hall is mainly used for official purposes, so visitors usually admire it from the outside. On open monument days and other special occasions, the interior may be opened for visits, with access to historic council rooms and ceremonial spaces, and guided walks sometimes include it. Opening arrangements are best checked locally, as no regular schedule applies.

Much else is within a short walk. The Eise Eisinga Planetarium, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the best-known attraction and shows an eighteenth-century model of the solar system built on the ceiling of a house. The Martinikerk, a medieval church, rises over the town, and canals, old houses and former university buildings add to the setting. Franeker also lies on the route of the Elfstedentocht, the famous skating tour, and it has a cheerful market on certain days.

The building suits history and architecture lovers and anyone walking through the Frisian towns. A look at the facade takes only a few minutes, but combined with the rest of the town it can fill half a day. Franeker is reached by train from Leeuwarden and Harlingen in about fifteen minutes.