Harlingen, Historic port city in Friesland, Netherlands.
Harlingen is a municipality on the Wadden Sea coast with canals running through town, historic warehouses, and a working harbor for maritime commerce. The town spreads along the waterfront with a blend of old buildings and active port operations.
The town was founded in 1234 when monks built canals to support trade and turn the area into a maritime center. These early waterways shaped its development as a shipping hub for centuries to come.
The waterfront is lined with multi-story warehouses and houses whose gable stones are carved with symbols that once helped identify buildings in the community.
The town connects to Leeuwarden through two railway stations, and regular ferries run to the Wadden Islands from the harbor. Visitors can easily walk through the center to see the main sights without much effort.
A former lighthouse has been converted into a hotel where guests can experience maritime history from an elevated vantage point. This unusual lodging draws visitors looking for something different in one of the town's oldest structures.
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