Franeker

Also known as Frjentsjer

Franeker (; ) is one of the eleven historical cities of Friesland and capital of the municipality of Waadhoeke. It is located north of the Van Harinxmakanaal and about west of Leeuwarden. As of 2023, it had 13,015 inhabitants. World Heritage Site the Eise Eisinga Planetarium, established in 1781, is located in the city.

Key facts

Settlement.name: Franeker
Settlement.settlement_type: City
Settlement.image_skyline: Franeker, het stadhuis RM15724 en het Planetarium RM15668 foto4 2017-06-18 11.19.jpg
Settlement.image_caption: The former city hall (left) and the Eise Eisinga Planetarium (right)
Settlement.image_flag: Flag of Franeker.svg
Settlement.image_shield: Franeker wapen.svg
Settlement.motto: (Star of the Eleven Cities)
Settlement.image_map: LocatieFraneker.png
Settlement.map_caption: Location in the former municipality of Franekeradeel in Friesland in the Netherlands
Settlement.image_map1: Map NL Frjentsjerteradiel Frjenstjer.png
Settlement.map_caption1: Location in the former municipality of Franekeradeel

Article

15 sections

Contents

History
Early history
Saxon period
University of Franeker
Recent history
Geography
Demographics
Culture
Museums
Windmill
Sports
Infrastructure
Notable people
References
External links

==History== ===Early history=== Franeker was founded around 800 as a Carolingian stronghold. The name probably derives from Froon-acker, meaning 'land of the lord/king'; the oldest street in the city is still called Froonacker. Beginning around the 11th century, Franeker developed into the administrative center of northern Westergoa.