Franeker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Franeker
Frjentsjer
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The former city hall (left) and the Eise Eisinga Planetarium (right)
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Location in the municipality of Franekeradeel
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 Franeker
Location in Friesland
Franeker
Location in Netherlands
Franeker
Location in Europe
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Friesland | ||
| Municipality | Waadhoeke | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 18.17 km2 (7.02 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 12,780 | ||
| • Density | 703.4/km2 (1,821.7/sq mi) | ||
| Postal code |
8801-8802
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| Dialing code | 0517 | ||
Franeker (which is Frjentsjer in the local Frisian language) is a historic city in the Netherlands. It is one of the eleven oldest cities in the province of Friesland. Franeker is now the main town of the Waadhoeke municipality.
The city is located north of the Van Harinxmakanaal. It is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Leeuwarden, the capital city of Friesland. As of 2014, about 12,781 people lived there. Franeker is famous for the Eise Eisinga Planetarium, which was built in 1781 and is now a World Heritage Site.
Contents
History of Franeker
Franeker was founded around the year 800. It started as a strong fort built by the Carolingians. The name "Franeker" likely comes from "Froon-acker," meaning "land of the lord or king." The oldest street in the city still has this name. Around the 11th century, Franeker became an important administrative center.
City Rights and Growth
Franeker officially became a city in 1374, which meant it gained special rights. In the 1400s, Albert III, Duke of Saxony made Franeker his base. For a while, it seemed like Franeker would become the most important city in Friesland. However, Leeuwarden eventually grew to be more important.
During the Dutch Revolt, a war for independence, Franeker quickly supported William the Silent, a key leader.
The University of Franeker
From 1585 to 1811, Franeker was home to the University of Franeker. This was the second Protestant university in the Netherlands. It was a very important place for learning. The university closed when the Netherlands became part of the French Empire. A new school, the Rijksatheneum, opened in 1815 but also closed in 1847.
Before 2018, Franeker was part of the Franekeradeel municipality. Even earlier, before 1984, the city was its own separate municipality.
Geography and Location
Franeker is located in the Waadhoeke municipality. This area is in the northwest part of the Friesland province, in the northern Netherlands. The city is east of Harlingen. It lies north of the Van Harinxmakanaal. Franeker is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Leeuwarden, the provincial capital.
Population of Franeker
As of January 1, 2014, the city of Franeker had a total population of 12,781 people.
Culture and Attractions
Franeker has several interesting cultural sites.
Museums to Explore
Franeker is home to two main museums: the Eise Eisinga Planetarium and the Museum Martena.
The Eise Eisinga Planetarium
The Planetarium is a very special place. It was built by a local wool carder named Eise Eisinga. He created it in his own living room to show how the planets move. He wanted to calm people's fears about a rare alignment of planets. It is one of the oldest working planetariums in the world.
Museum Martena
The Museum Martena opened in 2006. It is located in a beautiful old manor house built in 1498. This museum tells the story of Franeker and the surrounding region.
Unique Windmill
The city also has a unique windmill called Arkens. It is a special type of windmill called a hollow post mill. It was moved to Franeker in 1972 from a place called Arkens. This windmill is the only one in the Netherlands that has "Vlinderwieken," which means "Butterfly sails."
Sports and Events
Franeker is a city that loves sports, especially traditional Frisian ones.
Frisian Handball Tournament
Since 1852, Franeker has hosted the PC. This is the most important tournament in Frisian handball. It's a very popular event in the region.
Frisian Draughts
Franeker often hosts competitions for Frisian draughts. This is a unique version of the game of checkers.
The Elfstedentocht
Franeker is one of the cities on the route of the famous Elfstedentocht. This is a huge 200-kilometer (124-mile) ice skating race. It only happens when the canals and lakes freeze over enough, so it's not held every year.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Franeker has good connections for travel.
Railway Station
The Franeker railway station is on the NS train line. This line connects Leeuwarden and Harlingen. Franeker also used to have a station on the North Friesland Railway, which closed in 1933. The old station building is still there.
Notable People from Franeker
Many interesting people have connections to Franeker:
- Johan Sems (1572–1635) was a Dutch mapmaker and engineer.
- Anna Maria van Schurman (1607–1678) was a talented Dutch artist, poet, and scholar.
- Ulrik Huber (1636–1694) was a law professor at the University of Franeker.
- François Hemsterhuis (1721–1790) was a Dutch writer known for his ideas on beauty and morals.
- Eise Eisinga (1744–1828) was the Frisian amateur astronomer who built the famous Eise Eisinga Planetarium.
- Sebald Justinus Brugmans (1763–1819) was a Dutch botanist and doctor.
- Jan Hendrik Oort (1900–1992) was a Dutch astronomer who studied the Milky Way galaxy.
- Pia Dijkstra (born 1954) is a Dutch politician and former news presenter.
- Dennis Wiersma (born 1986) is a Dutch politician.
Images for kids
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Map of Franeker from the Atlas Schoemaker (around 1710–1735)
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The Eisinga Planetarium (right) and the adjacent bar in 2011
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Frisian handball in Franeker
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The Camminghahûs (built around 1400) and the Martinichurch
See also
In Spanish: Franeker para niños
