Leeuwarden City Hall, Municipal government building in Leeuwarden, Netherlands.
Leeuwarden City Hall is a three-story classical building with 27 windows across its main facade and golden letters spelling 'Pace et Justitia' above the entrance. The structure features an octagonal lantern tower that sits prominently at its center.
Prince Willem Karel Hendrik Friso of Orange and Nassau laid the foundation stone in 1715, marking the building's royal connection. This beginning started a structure that would serve as the city's administrative center for nearly 3 centuries.
The entrance sculptures by Gerbrandus van der Haven and the pediment depicting civic authority reflect how local leaders wanted to present themselves to the public. These artistic choices show what values mattered most to the people running the city at that time.
The building sits in the town center and is easy to spot from the street thanks to its classical design and prominent location. Interior spaces are used for weddings and government work, so checking ahead about visiting times is helpful.
The octagonal tower houses a carillon of 39 bells, some cast by master bell-makers including Hans Falck and Claude Fremy. These bells ring out regularly and have been making music across the town for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
