The 10 Best Historic Sites in Friesland Province, The Netherlands

Popta Castle, the jewel among the Frisian manors. The history of the manor goes back to the 15th century, when it was founded by the Heringa family as a fortified manor house. In 1603 the van Eysinga family acquired the manor by inheritance, converted it and gave it the appearance it still has today. Following the death of the last member of that family living at Popta Castle, in 1687, her heirs sold the manor to the unmarried lawyer Dr. Henricus Popta. Up to his death in 1712, Dr. Popta used Heringastate, chiefly as a summer residence. Ever since then the house has never been lived in. Now as a museum Popta Castle welcomes visitors to look round the various rooms, which are still fully and delicately furnished in 17th and 18th century style. Also the ‘Almshouse’ founded by Dr. Poptain 1712 to offer widows in need and single elderly women a carefree old age is certainly worth visiting. Open for visitors (only guided tours, every hour, duration 1h) Jul and Aug, from 11h-17h. Closed on Sunday. Only by appointment: Apr, May, June, Sept and Oct, closed on Sunday.

Ir. D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station The D.F. Woudagemaal in the town of Lemmer is the world's largest steam pumping station still in working condition. The pumping station was opened in 1920 by Queen Wilhelmina for the purpose of pumping excess water from Friesland into the Zuyder Zee, the present-day IJsselmeer. The imposing brick building is austere and functional, in line with the architectural style of the Amsterdam School. In 1966, the electrically driven J.L. Hoogland pumping station in Stavoren took over the task of the steam pumping station in Lemmer. And yet, even today, the historic D.F. Woudagemaal plays a crucial role in extreme conditions. In cases of extremely high water, the old steam pumping station is deployed to drain excess water into the IJsselmeer as quickly as possible. The D.F. Woudagemaal has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998.

Van harte welkom in de historische binnenstad van Dokkum. Bent u van plan een stadswandeling door Dokkum te reserveren? Doen! Loop mee met onze getrainde stadsgidsen, die van alles kunnen vertellen over de historie van Dokkum en je meenemen naar bijzondere plekjes. Combineer een stadswandeling met een rondvaart, een fietstocht door de regio of een van onze andere arrangementen.