Hindeloopen, Workum, Gaastmeer

Hindeloopen has traditionally been a quirky little town. It has its own language within the Frisian language, where even many Frisians struggle to understand medieval sounds. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Hindeloopen was a real trendsetter in clothing and art. They owed this to its strategic location. Hindeloopen was the direct link from the Zuiderzee to the Baltic Sea and could thus benefit from the latest goods, including Indian cotton full of flowers and exotic motifs.

Until then, Hindeloopen women made their clothes of wool and linen, but when these new fabrics arrived in the 17th century, that changed. It was a bright kind of cotton that you could wash endlessly without it shrinking and available in all kinds of colours. Young women in Hindeloopen became the fashionistas of their time: they combined floral patterns with checks in their skirts and coats. Keeping the symbolic meaning of the colours in mind, of course, because back then you still had to be able to tell from a lady's clothes whether she was still single.

Floral and exotic influences also permeated art and interiors. Furniture, objects, window shutters, doors and facades were painted with ornate flowers, leaves, animals and other images. It became an art style in itself: Hindelooper folk art. This movement was almost lost at the end of the 19th century, but fortunately Arend Roosje managed to set up a studio at the time where he continued Hindelooper painting. His shop still exists and you can visit (almost) daily to admire the traditional furniture.

Hindeloopen is, of course, one of the Eleven Cities. Skating is deep in the heart of this province, which is why you will find a real Skating Museum in Hindeloopen. You will take a journey into the history of ice skating through the largest ice skating collection in the world! Here you will also find Hindeloopen art, but other crafts are also depicted in the museum.

By the way, don't be surprised if you suddenly see a traditional Frisian farm upside down. Near Hindeloopen train station, a farmhouse has been built upside down as a landscape project, an extraordinary sight.

In short, this cycle tour allows you to immerse yourself in the history and traditions of the quirky Hindeloopers. A culture in itself!

Note! You will encounter several ferries on this route. Check in advance the sailing times on the ferry's website (to be found at the Pitstop pages).