De Tobbedanser

Friesland


Across from the ferry port, this bronze statue encircled by a wooden bench is a lovely spot to sit and contemplate the pretty waterside views. Sculpted by Dutch sculptor Bert Kiewiet (1918–2008), the statue harks back to Harlingen's wool-manufacturing days. Fabric was washed in large tubs of water with one's feet, hence the local nickname for people from Harlingen – Tobbedansers ('tub dancers').


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Friesland attractions

1. Museum Hannemahuis Harlingen

0.23 MILES

Housed in the 18th-century mansion of a prominent Harlingen family, this museum deals primarily with the town's maritime heritage, in particular its role…

2. Eise Eisinga Planetarium

5.45 MILES

The Eise Eisinga Planetarium is named after its builder, an 18th-century wool comber with a serious sideline in cosmic mathematics and astrology. Between…

3. Modelspoor Museum

14.01 MILES

Next to the train station, in part of the train station building, this indispensable attraction for train buffs includes some incredibly detailed model…

4. Town Hall

14.22 MILES

Sneek's original town hall acquired its striking rococo decoration in the 1760s. Play 'Spot Wisdom, Justice and Stability' with the beautifully sculpted,…

5. Fries Scheepvaart Museum

14.36 MILES

Sneek has been a nexus of Frisian waterways for centuries, and this museum elegantly illustrates many aspects of shipping and seafaring in the province…

6. Terschelling Museum 't Behouden Huys

15.05 MILES

Good for a rainy day, this small museum covers traditional Terschelling life and maritime history. It's named after the cabin on the Novaya Zemlya…

7. Bunker Museum

15.47 MILES

Hidden in woods east of West-Terschelling is an extraordinary subterranean network of 85 bunkers used as a military radar station during WWII…

8. Oldehove

15.72 MILES

At the northwest corner of the historic core stands the notoriously off-kilter Oldehove – Friesland's rival to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Things went…