Franeker, a city full of stories

In 1811, the curtain fell on the University of Franeker when Napoleon dissolved the 'Academy of Friesland'. Since its founding in 1585, 'Franeker' had been the oldest university in the Netherlands after Leiden. It was a cradle of remarkable students and professors, and a period in which the city flourished. Now the Academy of Franeker is back. With eleven special stories and accompanying photographs. Artistic photographs taken by Frisian photographers Tryntsje Nauta and Jeroen Adema.

Sinister, inspiring, moving intimate stories and photographs
The series of eleven stories has become a unique collection. A document in which word and image come together from the emotion of the history of former students and professors. Intimate, sinister and often surprising stories that touch the heart.

It is the city's ambition to pass on these stories to new generations, to inspire and to share. To give meaning to today through this history.

The eleven stories were selected by a group of historians in Franeker and developed by Josse Pietersma, programme maker and resident of the city of Franeker.

Read the surprising stories and learn all about Franeker.

  • The stammering physician

    The stammering physician

  • The wet suit of Nassau

    The wet suit of Nassau

  • Planets on the ceiling

    Planets on the ceiling

  • The balloon of Van Swinden

    The balloon of Van Swinden

  • The students and the great Franeker draughts board

    The students and the great Franeker draughts board

  • The enamoured professor

    The enamoured professor

  • The crooked stool of Eise Eisinga

    The crooked stool of Eise Eisinga

  • Rembrandt's fall to his knees

    Rembrandt's fall to his knees

  • The promise of Anna Maria

    The promise of Anna Maria

  • The professor and the plague

    The professor and the plague

  • The mathematical orphan

    The mathematical orphan

Follow us on Instagram

@franekerster