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Harlingen view of the harbour Photo by S.Möller on

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Harlingen, Netherlands

Harlingen is a municipality and a city that is located in the northern Netherlands, province of Friesland on the coast of the Wadden Sea. This town has a long history of fishing and shipping.

Harlingen first received city rights in the year 1234. It is one among the eleven Frisian cities, but Harlingen is the least of them and few people speak the Frisian language as their mother tongue.

This little port city still serves as the commercial boating route where several begin their journeys to Scandinavia or far. Among the notable monuments and structures of Harlingen are the original fortifications.

These fortifications managed to survive the tests of time. There are also several historic warehouses and mansions in Harlingen.

Harlingen started developing in the 12th century when monks in a nearby monastery dug canals to improve trading activities. The harbour of Harlingen grew which also boosted its wealth and its fame.

Here are the top 10 Amazing Facts about Harlingen, Netherlands:

1. The City was Established by Monks who Dug Canals to Expand Trade

Harlingen is located on the coast of the Wadden Sea. The development of this city dates back to the 12th century.

There was a monastery of monks nearby who were eager to expand the area. They dug canals to open up the mainland and the sea to create some harbours.

In the process of building the canals, trading activities were expanded in Harlingen. This made the area gain more wealth and fame which attracted more investors. Harlingen, later on, received the city charter in 1234.

2. Harlingen is Easily Accessible Via Roads, Railway, Sea and Air

Harlingen. View of the Noorderhaven from the Leeuwenbrug. Photo by Agnes Monkelbaan on

This city has got one of the best transport systems in the Netherlands. There are many ways to get to Harlingen through personal choice.

The road network is good with the main road towards Franeker and Leeuwarden being the A31. There are also several other highways where tourists and people around the Netherlands can get into and out of Harlingen.

Another means of getting to Harlingen is via the railway line. There are two major train stations in Harlingen which include Harlingen Haven for the harbour and Harlingen Station. The trains go through to Franeker, Dronrijp, Deinum and Leeuwarden.

The other option to reach out to Harlingen is over the waters of the Wadden Sea. Tourists and other visitors arrive on boats, private yachts and ferries. Harlingen is best accessed through the air via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

3. Blauwe Hand, One of the Oldest and Best Preserved Warehouses in Harlingen

There are several historic warehouses in Harlingen. One of them is Blauwe Hand which is popularly known as De Blauwe Hand in Dutch.

This historic warehouse is best preserved and according to gable stone, it was built in 1647. The windows of this warehouse have relief arches with a keystone which take the form of carved cups.

There are five facing bricks in the frieze front embedded with anno, blue Hand and the year 1647. Blauwe Hand had a barley factory established in it over the 17th and 18th centuries. This building was also used by the wine trade of D. Oolgaard & Zoon before World War Two.

4. The Harlingen Lighthouse Currently used as Hotel Accommodation

Harlingen. lighthouse. National monument. Photo by Agnes Monkelbaan on

In the centre of the Harlingen docks is the Harlingen Lighthouse. This same sight where the current lighthouse was previously used for two earlier lighthouses.

Harlingen lighthouse is one of the notable monuments in Harlingen city. It is currently being used as an accommodation hotel by tourists and other visitors to the city.

5. The 18th Century City Hall of Harlingen

Harlingen City Hall is another remarkable monument in the city of Harlingen. It stands on the south side of the Noorderhaven opposite the Town Hall Bridge.

The city hall was built in 1730 by famous city architect Hendrik Jacobs Norel in the style of emperor Louis XIV. This building has been maintained properly over the years to maintain its original looks.

There is a balcony in the front facade gilded with a statue of St. Michael who was the patron saint of Harlingen city. Gerbrandus van der Haven made this brilliant statue.

6. Historic Art and Collections of Harlingen Past Housed in a Monumental Patrician House

Harlingen Hannemahuis. Photo by Agnes Monkelbaan on

Harlingen has a history that is preserved and displayed for people to learn about. The collections and art history are housed under a monumental patrician house.

Museum Hannemahuis preserves the regional exhibit objects. Some of the exhibits preserved include paintings, furniture, photographs, historical documents, maritime objects, silverware, tiles and pottery from Harlingen.

7. All Kinds of Harlingen Pottery are Displayed in Harlinger Aardewerk Museum

This is an image of the rijksmonument. Photo by Agnes Monkelbaan on

Other than the art and art history of Harlingen, there are more exhibits on the history of this city. There is a special museum where pottery displays are usually exhibited.

The Harlinger Aardewerk museum preserves and displays all kinds of pottery from across Harlingen city. Pottery activities and trade were booming in the Frisian cities in the earlier centuries. Some of the historic pottery items had to be preserved.

8. The City is a Beautiful Centre of Canals

Harlingen city is located near the Wadden Sea which makes it a more attractive area. The city is a beautiful centre full of canals.

There is a harbour which is Friesland’s only seaport that is busy daily. Ferries depart from this port, tour boats and yachts arrive here and the canals are routes to major fishing grounds. The canals make this area nice for water sports.

9. Legendary Story of Boy who Saved the City is from Harlingen

There are several legendry stories about Harlingen city. The most common one is of the boy who saved the city from being swallowed up.

It is believed that the boy stuck his finger in a dike that was leaking seawater. His heroics saved the whole city and the inhabitants from getting swallowed by the sea. The statue of this boy was erected near the ferry departure point.

10. The Whale Foundation began in Harlingen to Advocate against Whaling

The Whale Tail Foundation. Photo by Beyond my Ken on

Harlingen city was among the Friesland historic ground where whaling used to take place. However, whaling has always been voted against.

This led to the formation of the Whale Foundation which has been significant in protecting these beautiful sea animals. There are eleven fountains which were designed for each of the eleven cities of Friesland.

Harlingen is one of the best tourist destinations for anyone across the world who loves nature. The fun experiences and memory making makes Harlingen city one of the best even though it is small.