# Franeker

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City in Friesland, Netherlands

Franeker Frjentsjer (West Frisian) City The former city hall (left) and the Eise Eisinga Planetarium (right) Flag Coat of arms Motto(s): Ster van de Elfsteden (Dutch) (Star of the Eleven Cities) Location in the former municipality of Franekeradeel in Friesland in the Netherlands Location in the former municipality of Franekeradeel Franeker Location within the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Franeker Location within Europe Show map of Netherlands Franeker Franeker (Europe) Show map of Europe Coordinates: 53°11′N 5°32′E / 53.183°N 5.533°E / 53.183; 5.533 Country Netherlands Province Friesland Municipality Waadhoeke Area [1] • Total 18.17 km2 (7.02 sq mi) • Land 17.42 km2 (6.73 sq mi) • Water 0.75 km2 (0.29 sq mi) Elevation [2] 1.1 m (3.6 ft) Population (2021)[1] • Total 13,015 • Density 747.1/km2 (1,935/sq mi) Time zone UTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST) Postal code 8801, 8802[1] Dialing code 0517 Website www.franeker.frl

**Franeker** (Dutch pronunciation: [\[ˈfraːnəkər\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Dutch) [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nl-Franeker.ogg); [West Frisian](/source/West_Frisian_language): *Frjentsjer* [\[ˈfrjɛntsjər\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/West_Frisian)) is one of the eleven historical [cities](/source/City_rights_in_the_Low_Countries) of [Friesland](/source/Friesland) and capital of the municipality of [Waadhoeke](/source/Waadhoeke). It is located north of the [Van Harinxmakanaal](/source/Van_Harinxmakanaal) and about 20 km (12 mi) west of [Leeuwarden](/source/Leeuwarden). As of 2023, it had 13,015 inhabitants.[1] [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site) the [Eise Eisinga Planetarium](/source/Eise_Eisinga_Planetarium), established in 1781, is located in the city.

## History

### Early history

Franeker was founded around 800 as a [Carolingian](/source/Carolingian) stronghold. The name probably derives from *Froon-acker*, meaning 'land of the lord/king'; the oldest street in the city is still called Froonacker. Beginning around the 11th century, Franeker developed into the administrative center of northern [Westergoa](/source/Westergoa).[3]

Franeker received [city rights](/source/City_rights_in_the_Netherlands) in 1417,[4] when it was recognised as an independent city and, through the *Buurbrief* ('Citizen's letter'), formally separated from the [grietenij](/source/Grietenij) [Franekeradeel](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Franekeradeel_(before_1984)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franekeradeel_(voor_1984))].[5]

### Saxon period

The Siege of Franeker ([Pieter Feddes van Harlingen](/source/Pieter_Feddes_van_Harlingen), c. 1620)

At the end of the 15th century, [Albert, Duke of Saxony](/source/Albert_III%2C_Duke_of_Saxony) established himself in Franeker, when he had taken over Friesland with the help of the [Schieringers](/source/Schieringers) led by [Hessel van Martena](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hessel_van_Martena&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessel_van_Martena)]. On 12 May 1500, the city was besieged by an army of 16,000 dissatisfied Frisians during the [Siege of Franeker](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siege_of_Franeker&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beleg_van_Franeker)], as a result of the high rents and taxes levied by Albert and his sons [Henry](/source/Henry_IV%2C_Duke_of_Saxony) and [George of Saxony](/source/George%2C_Duke_of_Saxony). Henry established his seat in the city of Franeker. The Frisians achieved nothing with the siege of the city because they were poorly trained and organised. Duke Albert of Saxony hastily assembled a large army to relieve Henry and the city of Franeker. Finally, the Frisians were defeated on 16 July 1500 and the city was relieved. On 26 March 1501, Henry IV of Saxony gave the city of Franeker a considerable (200 [morgen](/source/Morgen)) piece of [salt marshland](/source/Salt_marsh) outside the dike, called the Franekerlanden. Three years later, Henry handed over the government of Friesland to his brother George.[6][7]

Franeker seemed to become the capital of Friesland at the end of the 15th century. In 1504, however, the Saxons fled to [Leeuwarden](/source/Leeuwarden).[8] After that, the city remained important to the [Saxons](/source/Duchy_of_Saxony) for a long time, until Friesland was transferred as a possession to [Charles V](/source/Charles_V%2C_Holy_Roman_Emperor) in 1524.[9]

### University of Franeker

Main article: [University of Franeker](/source/University_of_Franeker)

The University of Franeker ([Pieter Feddes van Harlingen](/source/Pieter_Feddes_van_Harlingen), 1622)

When the [Dutch Republic](/source/Dutch_Republic) revolted against the [Spanish Empire](/source/Spanish_Empire), Franeker chose the side of [William of Orange](/source/William_the_Silent) early on. In 1579, Friesland joined the [Union of Utrecht](/source/Union_of_Utrecht) in the joint fight against Spain. In 1580, the [States of Friesland](/source/States_of_Friesland) decided that only the [Reformed doctrine](/source/Reformed_Christianity) was permitted. In order to meet a growing demand for ministers, lawyers, and doctors, the States decided to found a university.[10]

As such, a [Protestant](/source/Protestantism) university, the [University of Franeker](/source/University_of_Franeker), the oldest in the Netherlands after the [University of Leiden](/source/University_of_Leiden), was established on 29 July 1585.[3] The university was housed in the former monastery building of the [Crosiers](/source/Canons_Regular_of_the_Order_of_the_Holy_Cross). At this Academy of Friesland, donated by the Frisian [stadtholder](/source/Stadtholder) [William Louis](/source/William_Louis%2C_Count_of_Nassau-Dillenburg), one could study theology, law, medicine, classical languages, philosophy, mathematics, and physics.[11] Some notable students include [William IV, Prince of Orange](/source/William_IV%2C_Prince_of_Orange), [Peter Stuyvesant](/source/Peter_Stuyvesant), [René Descartes](/source/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes), and [Eise Eisinga](/source/Eise_Eisinga).[12][13][14][15] It was closed shortly after the incorporation of the [Kingdom of Holland](/source/Kingdom_of_Holland) into the [French Empire](/source/First_French_Empire), when [Napoleon Bonaparte](/source/Napoleon_Bonaparte) closed the academy in 1811. A successor institution, the *Rijksatheneum*, was founded in 1815, but in 1847 it, too, closed.[3]

### Recent history

In 1984, the municipalities of Franeker and [Franekeradeel](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Franekeradeel_(before_1984)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franekeradeel_(voor_1984))], as well as part of the municipality of [Barradeel](/source/Barradeel), were merged into the new municipality of [Franekeradeel](/source/Franekeradeel).[16]

On 1 January 2018, Franeker became the main town of the newly formed municipality of [Waadhoeke](/source/Waadhoeke). The town hall is located on the Harlingerstraatweg in Franeker.

## Geography

Map of the city of Franeker (2021)

Franeker is located in the municipality of [Waadhoeke](/source/Waadhoeke) in the northwest of the province of [Friesland](/source/Friesland) in the north of the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands). It is east of the city of [Harlingen](/source/Harlingen%2C_Friesland), north of the [Van Harinxmakanaal](/source/Van_Harinxmakanaal), south of the [Wadden Sea](/source/Wadden_Sea) coast, and about 20 km (12 mi) west of the provincial capital [Leeuwarden](/source/Leeuwarden).

## Demographics

As of 2023, the city of Franeker had a population of 13,015.[1]

## Culture

### Museums

The [Eise Eisinga Planetarium](/source/Eise_Eisinga_Planetarium) (right) and adjacent bar in 2011

The [Eise Eisinga Planetarium](/source/Eise_Eisinga_Planetarium) and the [Museum Martena](/source/Museum_Martena) are museums located in the city. The Planetarium is an [orrery](/source/Orrery) built between 1774 and 1781 by the local wool carder [Eise Eisinga](/source/Eise_Eisinga) to explain a [conjunction](/source/Conjunction_(astronomy_and_astrology)) of the planets and to help mitigate local fears of what would happen during the planets' alignment. Built in Eisinga's own living room, it is the oldest continuously operating orrery in the world. In 2023, the Planetarium was officially designated a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](/source/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site).[17]

Museum Martena, opened in 2006, is housed in the [Martenahuis](/source/Martenahuis). This old *[stins](/source/Stins)* was built in 1502 by order of [Hessel van Martena](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hessel_van_Martena&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessel_van_Martena)] and was the residence of [Campegius Vitringa](/source/Campegius_Vitringa) and [Anna Maria van Schurman](/source/Anna_Maria_van_Schurman) in the second half of the 17th century. The museum is devoted to the history of the city and the region.[18]

### Windmill

The windmill *[Arkens](/source/Arkens%2C_Franeker)* is a [hollow post mill](/source/Post_mill#Hollow_Post_mill) which has been restored. It originally stood in [Arkens](/source/Arkens) and was moved in 1972. It is the only windmill in the Netherlands equipped with *Vlinderwieken* (English: Butterfly sails).[19]

## Sports

Frisian handball on the *[Sjûkelân](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sj%C3%BBkel%C3%A2n&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sj%C3%BBkel%C3%A2n); [fy](https://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sj%C3%BBkel%C3%A2n)]* the former location of the [Sjaerdemaslot](/source/Sjaerdemaslot)

Since 1852, Franeker has been the home of the [PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=PC_(Frisian_handball)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[nl](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_(kaatsen))], the most important tournament in [Frisian handball](/source/Frisian_handball).

Franeker is a regular host of the [Frisian draughts](/source/Frisian_draughts) competitions.[20]

Being one of the Frisian cities, Franeker is also on the route of the 200 kilometres (120 mi) *[Elfstedentocht](/source/Elfstedentocht)* (Eleven-cities Tour), an endurance skating event held at irregular intervals depending on weather conditions.

## Infrastructure

The *Camminghahûs* (built around 1400) and the Martinichurch

[Franeker railway station](/source/Franeker_railway_station) is a station on the [NS](/source/Nederlandse_Spoorwegen) line between [Leeuwarden](/source/Leeuwarden) and [Harlingen](/source/Harlingen%2C_Netherlands). It also had a station on the [North Friesland Railway](/source/North_Friesland_Railway) which was the terminus of a branch from [Tzummarum](/source/Tzummarum). The line opened in October 1903 and closed in October 1933. The station building survives.

## Notable people

- [Johan Sems](/source/Johan_Sems) (1572–1635), cartographer, engineer and land surveyor

- [Anna Maria van Schurman](/source/Anna_Maria_van_Schurman) (1607–1678), painter, engraver, poet, classical scholar, philosopher, and feminist

- [Ulrik Huber](/source/Ulrik_Huber) (1636–1694), professor of law at the [University of Franeker](/source/University_of_Franeker) and political philosopher

- [François Hemsterhuis](/source/Fran%C3%A7ois_Hemsterhuis) (1721–1790), writer on aesthetics and moral philosophy

- [Eise Eisinga](/source/Eise_Eisinga) (1744–1828), amateur astronomer who built the [Eise Eisinga Planetarium](/source/Eise_Eisinga_Planetarium) in his house

- [Sebald Justinus Brugmans](/source/Sebald_Justinus_Brugmans) (1763–1819), botanist and physician

- [Jan Hendrik Oort](/source/Jan_Oort) (1900–1992), astronomer, studied the [Milky Way](/source/Milky_Way)

- [Rolf Bremmer](/source/Rolf_Bremmer) (born 1950), scholar of Old Frisian, and Old and Medieval English

- [Pia Dijkstra](/source/Pia_Dijkstra) (born 1954), politician and former news presenter

- [Dennis Wiersma](/source/Dennis_Wiersma) (born 1986), former politician

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stat_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stat_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-stat_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-stat_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-stat_1-4) ["Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2023"](https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/maatwerk/2024/11/kerncijfers-wijken-en-buurten-2023) [Key figures for districts and neighbourhoods 2023]. *[Statistics Netherlands](/source/Statistics_Netherlands)*. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AHN_2-0)** ["AHN Viewer"](https://www.ahn.nl/ahn-viewer). *Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland* (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-geschiedenis_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-geschiedenis_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-geschiedenis_3-2) ["Geschiedenis van Franeker"](https://www.franeker.frl/verhalen/geschiedenis-van-franeker/) [History of Franeker]. *Franeker.frl* (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Broekhoven, Sabine; Ginkel-Meester, Saskia; Kolman van, Chris; Kuiper, Yme; Stenvert, Ronald (2000). [*Monumenten in Nederland. Fryslân*](https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu06_01/sten009monu06_01_0061.php) [*Monuments in the Netherlands. Friesland.*] (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders Uitgevers. p. 131. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [90-400-9476-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/90-400-9476-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Telting, A. (1883). [*De Friesche stadrechten*](https://books.google.com/books?id=wm_TAAAAMAAJ&q=stadsrechten+franeker) [*The Frisian city rights*]. Werken der Vereeniging tot Uitgaaf der Bronnen van het Oud- Vaderlandsche Recht (in Dutch). Vol. 5. The Hague: M. Nijhoff.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Friese vrijheid bij Franeker begraven"](https://www.tresoar.nl/vertellen/verhalen/60e305a646159169fdd39d1f) [Frisian freedom buried near Franeker]. *[Tresoar](/source/Tresoar)* (in Dutch). 5 July 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Gerrits, Matthijs (2009). ["Hessel van Martena. Verrader van de Friese Vrijheid of voorvechter van een nieuwe orde?"](https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/files/482636/Hessel_van_Martena.pdf) [Hessel van Martena. Traitor to Frisian Freedom or champion of a new order?] (PDF). *Schieringer Fortuin – Hessel van Martena en het Martenahuis te Franeker* (in Dutch). Leeuwarden: Friese Pers Boekerij. pp. 21–23. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9789033008115](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9789033008115).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Het jaar 1504"](https://toenentoen.nl/friesland/worp/1504-3.html) [The year 1504]. *Toen en Toen* (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Dunk, Thomas von der (27 September 2022). ["Viglius van Aytta: Vader van de Nederlanden"](https://www.historischnieuwsblad.nl/vader-van-de-nederlanden/) [Viglius van Aytta: Father of the Netherlands]. *Historisch Nieuwsblad* (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-academie_10-0)** ["Geschiedenis van de Academie"](https://www.academiefraneker.nl/over-ons/geschiedenis-academie/) [History of the Academy]. *Academie van Franeker* (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Maas Geesteranus, A.M. (1880). ["De universiteit van Friesland"](https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_tij008188001_01/_tij008188001_01_0072.php) [The university of Friesland]. *De Tijdspiegel* (in Dutch). **37**: 28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Visser, Lilian (24 May 2018). ["Stadhouder Willem IV van Oranje-Nassau (1711-1751)"](https://historiek.net/stadhouder-willem-iv-oranje-nassau-erfstadhouder/56409/) [Stadtholder William IV of Orange-Nassau (1711–1751)]. *Historiek* (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Koops, Enne (24 September 2024). ["Peter Stuyvesant – Gouverneur-generaal van Nieuw-Nederland"](https://historiek.net/peter-stuyvesant-gouverneur-nieuw-nederland/137214/) [Peter Stuyvesant – Governor-general of New Netherland]. *Historiek* (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Descartes in Friesland"](https://www.tresoar.nl/vertellen/verhalen/60b4e345182eae1746bb581b). *[Tresoar](/source/Tresoar)* (in Dutch). 31 May 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Visser, Lilian (5 April 2023). ["Eise Eisinga, bouwer van het oudste planetarium"](https://historiek.net/eise-eisinga-bouwer-oudste-planetarium/57907/) [Eise Eisinga, builder of the oldest planetarium]. *Historiek* (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Franekeradeel"](https://gemeentegeschiedenis.nl/gemeentenaam/Franekeradeel). *Gemeentegeschiedenis* (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker"](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1683). *UNESCO World Heritage Convention*. Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Martenahuis"](http://www.stinseninfriesland.nl/MartenaHuis.htm). *Stinzen in Friesland* (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Data_19-0)** ["Franeker, Friesland"](https://www.molendatabase.nl/nederland/molen.php?nummer=69). *Molendatabase* (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 February 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Frisian Draughts, a special version of draughts"](https://frisiandraughts.com/). *World championship Frisian Draughts*. Retrieved 12 November 2024.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Franeker](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Franeker).

- ["Franeker"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Franeker). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)* (11th ed.). 1911.

- ["Franeker"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_American_Cyclop%C3%A6dia_(1879)/Franeker). *[The American Cyclopædia](/source/The_American_Cyclop%C3%A6dia)*. 1879.

v t e Places with city rights in Friesland Bolsward Dokkum Franeker Harlingen Hindeloopen IJlst Leeuwarden Sloten Sneek Stavoren Workum See also: Elfstedentocht

v t e Populated places in the municipality of Waadhoeke Towns Franeker Former municipalities: Franekeradeel het Bildt Menameradiel Villages Achlum Alde Leie (small part) Baaium Berltsum Bitgum Bitgummole Blessum Boer Boksum Deinum Dongjum Dronryp Firdgum Herbaijum Hitzum Ingelum Klooster-Lidlum Marsum Menaam Minnertsga Nij Altoenae Oosterbierum Oudebildtzijl Peins Pietersbierum Ried Schalsum Sexbierum Sint Annaparochie Sint Jacobiparochie Skingen Slappeterp Spannum Tzum Tzummarum Vrouwenparochie Westhoek Wier Winsum Wjelsryp Zweins Hamlets Arkens Barrum Bonkwert Doijum Dijkshoek Dyksterhuzen Fatum Franjumerbourren Hatsum 't Heechhout Holprijp De Kampen Kie Kiesterzijl Kingmatille Kleaster Anjum Koehool De Puollen De Vlaren List of cities, towns and villages in Friesland

Authority control databases International VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Israel Other IdRef Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Franeker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franeker) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franeker?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.