When we learned of the “The Elfstedentocht” – “Eleven cities tour” originally completed on ice skates on the canals in Friesland. Founded in 1909 it has been declared to be in danger of “extinction” due to climate change. In the past 50 years, Elfstedentocht has taken place only 3 times, most recently in 1997. We were pointed in the direction of a “Campervan” route to visit all the places, a challenge was set to get photo’s of the 11 permanent fountains, 1 in each of the 11 cities.
1 & 2 = Harlingen & Franeker
Harlingen – originally the home of the Fresian Admiralty & back in the 17th century it was an important port for the whaling industry! Hence the fountain being a sperm whale at the Zuiderpier.
Franeker – what a find! A planetarium built by Eise Eisinga between 1774 and 1781. It is the oldest working planetarium in the world & is now on the UNESCO world heritage list. Now on to the fountain – it’s an ode to the world-famous astronomer Jan Hendrik Oort, born in Franeker.
3 & 4 = Dokkum & Leeuwarden
Dokkum – anglo saxon missonary St Boniface born in Crediton, Devon died in Dokkkum, Friesland in 754! Dokkum has the smallest hospital in the Netherlands. The fountain – The Ice Fountain, no two days are the same as it depends on the elements. The day we visited it had ice on it! – Created by an artist from the Netherlands – Birth Leemeijer
Leeuwarden – capital city of Friesland with a tower that is leaning more than the tower of Pisa. The Elfstedentocht starts & finishes in Leeuwarden – The Fountain Love is two 7 metre high white sculptures of a boy & girl. Created by a Spanish artist – Jaume Plensa
5 & 6 = Bolsward & Workum
Bolsward – wedged in between the cities of Sneek & Franeker. The town was founded before Christ. During the middle ages it was a trade centre & port city, via the middle sea. The fountain – The Bat by Johan Creten from Belgium
Workum – has four windmills! For centuries the coat of arms have been supported by two lions. The fountain – The Rampant Lions of Workum, a rather interesting take by British Artist Cornelia Parker where a “bit of British Humour” has been added. Ummmm not too sure about that.
7 & 8 = Sneek & IJLst
Sneek – couldn’t wait to get here! Sneak has the largest sailing event on inland European waterways & it’s called Sneekweek. The Waterpoort is the symbol of the city & the clock is always 5 minutes fast. The fountain – Fortuna’s Fountain by Stephan Balkenhol from Germany
IJLst – known as the wood city! It has unique waterside gardens which were originally used for bleaching clothing. The fountain – By Shinji Ohmaki from Japan is Immortal Flowers
9, 10 & 11 = Hindeloopen, Sloten & Stavoren
Hindeloopen – has it’s own language mixing west Frisian, English, Danish & Norwegian. It sits on the IJsselmeer, which is a closed off fresh water lake, covering 420 square miles. The fountain – Flora & Fauna by Shen Yuan, China
Sloten – it is the smallest city in Friesland & the most difficult to find! The original structure of Sloten has been preserved. The fountain – Peewit by Jorge & Lucy Orta from Argentina & United Kingdom
Last but not least Stavoren! – the oldest city in Friesland & on the coast of the IJsselmeer. Home to an impressive looking pumping station The JL Hoogland which was put to work in 1967. It drains the Friesian lakes into the IJsselmeer. There is a unique hotel here, you can sleep in a Swiss wine barrel. The fountain – The Fishfountain for Stavoren by US artist Mark Dion.
