Heerenveen

Heerenveen is a municipality in the Dutch province of Friesland with a main train station connecting to other cities and several neighborhoods spread across the region. The town center contains shops, cultural venues including museums, and the Thialf complex, a major speed skating facility.

Three noblemen founded the settlement in 1551 when they began extracting peat from the area, which brought prosperity to the region. The name originates from this era, literally meaning lords' peat in Dutch.

The name reflects the three noblemen who founded the settlement, a connection that remains visible in how locals speak about their town. Visitors walking through can sense this link to the past in the streets and buildings.

The railway station sits in the center and connects the town to major Dutch destinations, making arrival and departure straightforward. Weekly markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays offer fresh produce and local goods in a convenient location.

The Thialf complex is one of the world's premier speed skating venues and regularly hosts international competitions and training events. Few visitors realize this facility has made the town a recognized hub for the sport globally.

Location: Friesland

Inception: 1551

Capital city: Heerenveen

Elevation above the sea: 1 m

Shares border with: Weststellingwerf, Opsterland, De Fryske Marren, Leeuwarden, Smallingerland

Phone: +31513617617

Email: gemeente@heerenveen.nl

Website: https://heerenveen.nl

GPS coordinates: 52.96580,6.05030

Latest update: December 20, 2025 01:58