sneek

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Sneek would never have existed without water. The town was originally called 'Ter Snake', which means 'headland'. Most of the water around this headland has now been drained and channelled, but there is plenty left for transport and yachting. Sneek is historically the second most important city in de province of Friesland, after the provincial capital of Leeuwarden. The city originated in the Middle Ages. We don't know exactly when, but in the 11th century Sneek already had a little church in the centre of its "terp" (artificially raised mound). The church and mound still exist in the old town centre.
The town was granted municipal rights in 1456. In 1492 the inhabitants started digging new defence canals and erecting town walls. The culmination of this work in 1613 was the building of the elegant 'Waterpoort' (watergate), more to impress than because of its military function. This gate is now the international symbol of Sneek.
Inside its walls, Sneek gradually developed into a wealthy trading centre. It was a transit port for ships coming from Amsterdam and Scandinavia, where the cargo was loaded into inland boats ('skûtsjes') for further transportation.

Sneek lies in the heart of the Frisian Lake District and is an attractive place to moor your boat and explore the town and its surroundings. Every year old downtown Sneek, with its many pleasant shopping streets and alleys, canals and pavement cafés, receives thousands of visitors from all over the world. Tourists enjoy the wide range of shops, historic façades and many activities.
All kinds of recreational facilities are at their disposal in and around Sneek. Many buildings and activities in Sneek are based on its old bond with water. The 'Waterpoort' or Watergate, built in 1613, is exceptionally beautiful and is well known all over the world as a symbol of Sneek. The bond with water can also be seen at the 'Grootzand' market where the market-stalls are lined up along the 'Grootzand' canal, which used to be the most important transport route in and out of the town in the past.
Many activities in Sneek are focused around the so-called Sneek week. A week of sailing races on Sneek Lake during the day and a fun-fair and other festivities in the town at night. Sneek not only offers sailing, surfing, swimming and fishing, but also walking, cycling, shopping and visiting museums, parks and historic buildings.
The Frisian Maritime Museum and Sneek Museum of Antiquities are full of memories of the Frisian shipbuilding industry and maritime and inland shipping. These museums are situated in a row of historic houses between old canals. In 32 rooms exhibiting more than 15,000 (!) objects, you can admire models of ships, paintings, tools, curiosities, maritime ornaments and souvenirs.
And let us not forget the original boats, the ice-hall, the ship's cabin, the deck-house and a special collection of silver. The Miniature Train Museum has a unique collection, mentioned by the Guiness Book of Records and is still being expanded. The museum is more than a place of memories: something 'happens' inside. Young visitors are allowed to play with trains. Every year old downtown Sneek receives thousands of visitors.

links:

vvv sneek

scheepvaartmuseum

simmerskipyachtbouw sneek