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Sneek is a city southwest of Leeuwarden and seat of the former municipality of Sneek in the province of Friesland (Netherlands).

As for 2011 it is part of the municipality Súdwest Fryslân. The city has approximately 33,000 inhabitants.

Sneek is situated in Southwest-Friesland, close to the Sneekermeer and is well known for its canals, the Waterpoort (Watergate, the symbol of the city), and watersport (Sneekweek). Sneek is one of the Friese elf steden (Eleven cities). The city is very important for the southwest area of Friesland (the "Zuidwesthoek").

Sneek was founded in the 10th century on a sandy peninsula at the crossing site of dike with an important waterway (called the Magna Fossa in old documents). This waterway was dug when the former Middelzee silted up. The dike can still be traced in the current street pattern and street names like "Hemdijk", "Oude Dijk" and "Oosterdijk".

Sneek received several city rights in the 13th century, which became official in 1456. Sneek was now one of the eleven Frisian cities. This was also the beginning of a period of blooming trade for the city that would last until about 1550. In 1492 construction of a moat and wall around the city began. In those days Sneek was the only walled city in Friesland. The waterpoort and the bolwerk remain today.

Places of interest
Sneek is well known as the center of watersports with over 130 watersport companies and 13 Marinas. Also it has a monumental inner-city with the old and famous gentlemen's houses.

    Watergate (1613)
    Town hall (1550)
    Martinichurch (1498), with a carillon of 50 bells
    Sint-Martinuschurch (1872)
    Tonnema Candy Factory (1955)
    the Wooden bridges across the Rijksweg 7.

Google Maps Sneek



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