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Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route - I

(24.8 km)

Discover some of Friesland’s finest country houses, nobility residences and beautifully landscaped estates. In Friesland, these country estates are known as 'staten' and 'stinzen'. 

The Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route takes you on a tour of the cultural and historical highlights of Friesland!

Feel like royalty, as you lunch, dine and stay at some of the most spectacular places in Friesland. 

The first part of the Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route leads through Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland, and some of the little villages north of the city. The Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route is divided into five sections. 

This section starts with a stroll through the streets of Leeuwarden, where you will find yourself surrounded by impressive monuments. You can even stay in the palace that once served as the residence of the governor of the city.

The ne…

Discover some of Friesland’s finest country houses, nobility residences and beautifully landscaped estates. In Friesland, these country estates are known as 'staten' and 'stinzen'. 

The Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route takes you on a tour of the cultural and historical highlights of Friesland!

Feel like royalty, as you lunch, dine and stay at some of the most spectacular places in Friesland. 

The first part of the Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route leads through Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland, and some of the little villages north of the city. The Elfstatentocht Country Estate Route is divided into five sections. 

This section starts with a stroll through the streets of Leeuwarden, where you will find yourself surrounded by impressive monuments. You can even stay in the palace that once served as the residence of the governor of the city.

The next day you can go on a short bike ride through the area north of the city. The country estates near the rural villages of Cornjum and Jelsum are both absolutely enchanting. You can stroll through the surrounding gardens and may also want to visit the adjacent village churches. The return journey to the capital includes a ferry crossing near the village of Wyns. 

Enjoy a trip that combines the magnificence of the city with glimpses of the countryside!

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Wirdumerdijk 5
8911 CB Leeuwarden
Navigate to starting point
26

Museumhuis van Eysinga

Huis van Eysinga is an impressive 18th-century city villa that was inhabited by the family of one of the most significant men of its time: Frans Julius Van Eysinga.

Museumhuis van Eysinga Museumhuis van Eysinga

Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof

In the heart of Leeuwarden city centre, you will find the magnificent Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof.

Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof

The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics

In the middle of Leeuwarden's historic city centre stands the 18th-century city palace of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, princess of Orange Nassau, ancestor of King Willem-Alexander. The world-famous M. C. Escher was also born in the same building.

The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics Keramiekmuseum Princessehof

City Park and Marina De Prinsentuin

In 1648, a park/pleasure garden was constructed on this site by order of Prince Willem Frederik of Nassau. A tribute to the end of the 80 years war and the peace of Münster. This part of the city would remain closed to the public for another 150 years.

City Park and Marina De Prinsentuin

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk

The Grote of Jacobijnerkerk is the oldest and, from an architectural point of view, the most important church in Leeuwarden.

Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
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Dekema State

Dekema State was originally a noble residence, where several families lived until 1996. The noble residence and the gardens are now open to the public.

Dekema State

Sint Genovevakerk Jelsum

Op de terp van Jelsum, een dorpje even ten noorden van de Friese hoofdstad Leeuwarden, is de voormalige hervormde kerk van Jelsum te vinden. In deze kerk ligt de bekende theoloog Balthasar Bekker begraven.  

Sint Genovevakerk Jelsum De Sint Genovevakerk in Jelsum
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Nicolaaskerk Koarnjum

De Nicolaaskerk uit 1873 is ook een bijzondere verschijning met zijn eclectische vormgegeving, ontworpen door architect Foppe Brouwer. 

Nicolaaskerk Koarnjum Kerk Koarnjum

Landgoed & Slot Martenastate

In 1899 is de oude state afgebroken en vervangen door een “slot”. Dit gebouw bestaat nog steeds en is gelegen op het eiland in de slotgracht. Het park heeft een romantisch karakter met elementen uit de Engelse landschapsstijl en een zeer rijke stinzenflora.

Landgoed & Slot Martenastate

Túnmanswente

Túnmanswente' is the former gardener's house of the Martenastate castle. It is located in the village of Koarnjum (Cornjum) in Friesland, just north of Leeuwarden.

Túnmanswente
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Stinze Stiens

Historische tuin met bloeiende stinzenflora bij de dokterswoning in het oude centrum van Stiens.

Stinze Stiens Stinze-Stiens stinzenflora
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Veerpont De Wynser Oerset (Wijns)

Veerpont De Wynser Oerset (Wijns)
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End point:

Wirdumerdijk 5
8911 CB Leeuwarden
Navigate to endpoint
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