Leeuwarden

Very small town in Friesland, the region of windmills and cows, and of course the Frisian horses. There is a canal right trough the centre of town, where all the cafés have tables and chairs right next to the canal.   

Every Saturday there is a very nice grocer’s market, and every Sunday there is some type of festival or market or something going on.

Leeuwarden is a college town; as such, there is a great nightlife, with many clubs and pubs. This little town holds a special place in my heart because I went to “Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden” as an exchange student. And loved every minute of it.  

A little history

Mata Hari was born in Leeuwarden; now a day there is a bridal shop in what use to be her home.

Mata Hari was an exotic dancer, who became very famous in Paris at the beginning to the century. Subsequently she traveled all throughout Europe with her dance.

Some sources said that Mata Hari was a double agent during WWI, spying for the French and the Germans. Other sources said that she was an escape goat for the French. However, she traveled and partied with many British, German, French, Dutch and Spanish officers all through Europe.

Immediately after her death, many people doubted her guilt, this mere fact and the point that she was very beautiful and that she lead a scandalous life helped to keep alive the legend of the world-famous Mata Hari.

There is a very nice movie with Jeanne Moreau as Mata Hari.

There is also a leaning tower, right on back of the centre, it is a small lookout tower that been leaning for centuries, but still hanging there, you can go up the many steps to the observation deck and oversee the town. Just remember, it is a small town, but very beautiful and the people are very nice and friendly.