Sloten
Sloten/Sleat is the smallest town in the Eleven Cities Tour. The town received city rights in 1426. Like IJlst, Sloten lay at a junction of waterways. Routes from the Zuiderzee ran past the city, as well as sailing routes to all kinds of Hanseatic towns on the IJssel. The town was therefore of strategic importance. In the 17th century, Sloten grew into a real fortress town. This can still be seen today in the beautiful facades of the houses.
Despite the fact that the town is only small, you can have a great time here for a few days. Especially in the summer, you can step back in time here with a town announcer and real cannon shooting.
Get a stamp?
You can get the stamp of Sloten at bakery store ‘t Kruimeltje. This is a small cozy and authentic bakery store. The enthusiastic owner welcomes her guests in a friendly manner and the store is always full of delicious breads, pastries and other treats. ‘t Kruimeltje also has a wide range of loose tea and chocolate. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In high season, the store is also open on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Outside the high season, you can get the stamp at Restaurant de Zeven Wouden on Sundays.
Parking tip; When you drive into Sloten there is a parking lot immediately within walking distance of the center. Park your camper along the water and walk into Sloten within 2 minutes.(Rûnwei 8556 Sloten)
What to do in Sloten?
Even though the town is small, you can stay a couple of nights to really discover what there is to do in Sloten. This will help you get to know the city and also allow you to explore the surrounding area.
1. Fountain
Of course, you will also find a fountain in Sloten. This fountain ‘Kievit’ was created by artist couple Lucy & Jorge Orta. They have been on a lot of expeditions in different places around the world and are very concerned with food, water and environmental issues. You can see this in the fountain as well. The water stands for the source of all life and for the water that is always abundant in Friesland, while it is different in other places in the world. The lapwing is an endangered bird species. Yet the fountain also has something genial about it, just like Sloten itself. Also in Sloten, a walking tour has been set out from the fountain along other highlights in the city.
2. Museum Sloten
Museum Sloten is enchantingly beautiful. The museum is located in what used to be the former town hall of Sloten. It was built between 1759-1761. You will learn all about the history of Sloten. In the attic you will find the most beautiful collection of magic lanterns in the Netherlands. There are also changing exhibitions. Next to the museum is the VVV of Sloten for even more information.
3. City walk with city announcer
What is also fun to do in Sloten, is a city walk and canal cruise with city announcer Pieter Haringsma. The walk starts at the museum and takes you through the picturesque center and to corn mill de Kaai and the Reformed Church. You will probably also see the white laundry hanging on the line in Sloten. This is still reminiscent of the days when the white laundry was dried and bleached on the lawn in the so-called ‘Bleekweide’.
Also, you are bound to see the water gates. The city wall and gates of the city have unfortunately been demolished long ago, but the water gates remain. The two gates are the Sneker or Woudsender gate and the Lemster gate. The gates are indicative of the city and look beautiful from the water. You can see this well during the tour at the end of the walk! The walk is every Thursday during the summer.
4. Restaurant de Zeven Wouden
In the heart of Sloten you will find restaurant de Zeven Wouden. The building in which the restaurant is located has a rich history. Indeed, around 1695, inn De Zeven Wouden opened its doors here. Since that time, the property has always had the same name. Now Boudewijn Kars is the owner of this beautiful restaurant. His motto is ‘making guests happy with honest-to-goodness meals’ and with that in mind he opens the door of his restaurant every day. Restaurant de Zeven Wouden is a cozy restaurant in a beautiful location. There is always liveliness in and around the restaurant, appropriate music and friendly people working there. The ideal place for a nice lunch, dinner or drinks.
5. Corn mill de Kaai
In fact, very little is known about corn mill De Kaai. The mill was built as early as 1755 and still stands in the same place. The mill is still active. You can visit the mill during opening hours. You can also buy flour for bread, pancakes and real Fryske sûkerbôle, among other things.
6. Historic Viewing Party
Once every few years the Historical Viewing Festival takes place in Sloten. During this celebration, one of the most illustrious moments in Sloten’s history will be re-enacted.
On May 12, 1588, Pier Lupckes, from the village of Tjerkgaast wanted to invade Sloten. This was not so easy because of the high ramparts. He therefore devised a plan that was similar to the Trojan Horse. Only Lupckes did it not with a big wooden horse, but with wooden beer barrels in which Spanish soldiers had to hide. This allowed them to enter the city on a boat unimpeded. Unfortunately, the plan leaked out and the men were discovered. A bloody battle ensued between the City militia and the Spaniards. One of the skippers managed to escape, but Lupckes and the other skipper were arrested and beheaded. Their heads still adorned stakes near the gate for a while. Sloten was not to be trifled with.