Ljouwert

Ljouwert is the Frisian name for Leeuwarden, the capital and largest city of the province of Fryslân (Friesland) in the northern Netherlands. It is an administrative and cultural center for the province and sits at the heart of Friesland’s historic urban core, characterized by a network of canals and well-preserved medieval and renaissance streets.

The city is a major center for the Frisian language and culture. Frisian is commonly used in daily life, street signage, and cultural institutions, alongside Dutch. The Fries Museum, housed in Ljouwert, presents the history and art of Friesland, and the Blokhuispoort is a notable former prison that has been repurposed as a cultural complex and hostel. The city’s skyline includes the leaning Oldehove tower and the Waterpoort, one of the historic gates connected to the city’s canal belt.

Historically founded in the Middle Ages, Ljouwert developed as a regional trading and administrative center. In 2018, the city (as part of Leeuwarden-Fryslân) hosted the European Capital of Culture, highlighting Frisian culture and regional cooperation.

Today, Ljouwert is connected by rail and road to other Dutch cities and serves as a hub for commerce, education, and tourism in Friesland. It remains a focal point for celebrating Frisian identity within the Netherlands.