Sloten (Fries: Sleat) is a (former) fortified town in the
municipality of De Friese Meren, in the Dutch province of Friesland.
Sloten is close to the Slotermeer and is located between Lemmer and
Balk.
Sloten belongs to the Frisian eleven cities and was an
independent municipality until 1984. Until January 1, 2014, Sloten
belonged to the municipality of Gaasterland-Sloten. In 2020 Sloten
had 700 inhabitants.
Sloten, a quaint historical fortified city in the Dutch province of
Friesland, holds the distinction of being the smallest among the eleven
Frisian cities, with a population of around 715 as of 2017. Founded in
the 13th century as a settlement around a fortified residence belonging
to the Van Harinxma thoe Slooten family, it was granted official city
rights in 1426 and strategically positioned to control vital waterways
and trade routes, including access from Sneek to the former Zuiderzee
(now IJsselmeer). A significant portion of Sloten is designated as a
protected cityscape, forming part of the safeguarded town and village
views in Friesland. Much of its original defensive walls remain intact,
and the city's foundational layout has been remarkably well-maintained
over the centuries, preserving its medieval charm amid surrounding lakes
and canals.
The city's fortress was masterfully engineered and
constructed by the renowned Dutch military architect Menno van Coehoorn
in the late 17th century, who is interred in the nearby village of
Wijckel. Van Coehoorn, often compared to his French counterpart Vauban
for his innovative designs, created what was considered an exemplary
model of a fortified settlement. Sloten's unique layout mimics the
layered form of an onion, which has earned it the affectionate Frisian
nickname "sipelstêd" or "onion city." This distinctive shape not only
provided robust defense but also reflects the strategic ingenuity of the
era. Embracing this theme, Sloten hosts the vibrant annual fair known as
Sipelsneon, or "Onion Saturday," typically held on the last Saturday in
June. This lively market features local vendors, traditional foods, and
community festivities, drawing visitors to celebrate the city's
heritage.
Today, Sloten thrives as a hub for water sports
enthusiasts, with a marina developed in the 1970s on its southern side,
offering rentals and activities on the adjacent Slotermeer lake. The
city has also played intriguing roles in history, such as foiling a
Spanish infiltration attempt during the Eighty Years' War by discovering
hidden soldiers in a beer shipment, and enduring a bridge demolition by
German forces in World War II to hinder advancing Canadian troops.
Among its notable landmarks and monuments are:
The two historic
water gates, which served as controlled entry points through the city's
defenses and remain key features of its waterways.
The scenic canal
known as "It Djip" (The Deep), lined with elegant canal houses that
evoke the city's prosperous trading past.
The iconic corn mill De
Kaai, originally constructed in 1755 and previously simply referred to
as De Korenmolen until 2006. This working windmill stands as a testament
to Friesland's milling tradition, and adjacent to it is an antique
cannon that's ceremonially fired by the local city militia every Friday
evening during July and August, adding a touch of historical reenactment
to summer nights.
The former town hall, now transformed into Museum
Stedhûs Sleat, which showcases exhibits on Sloten's rich history,
including artifacts from its fortified era, and a unique collection of
magic lanterns (early projection devices used for storytelling and
entertainment in the 19th century).
The "Bolwerk," referring to the
remnants of the old city walls, some sections of which are now
landscaped with greenery, offering picturesque walks along the ramparts
and moats that encircle much of the city.
These elements
contribute to Sloten's allure as a well-preserved gem, attracting
day-trippers and history buffs alike. For a deeper dive, consult the
comprehensive lists of national monuments and municipal monuments in
Sloten.
Women's choir 'De Sleattemer Kaaien'
Music Society St êd Sleat
Sipelsneon, the annual market on the last Saturday of June.
Since 1961, the city has had its own football club, VV Sleat.
Furthermore, it knows;
Sleat tennis club
Gym association T.H.O.R.
(To the Hail of Our Ribcage)
Ice Club De Eendracht
Water sports
association Sleatemermar
Dart club Sleat
Pishit club
Billiard
club Sleat
Sloten knows with the primary school De Klinkert, a small-scale school.
Sloten originated in the thirteenth century as a settlement at a
stins of the Van Harinxma thoe Slooten family, so it was located at a
junction of the trade road from Bentheim to Stavoren. There was trade in
cheese, butter and meat. The family had many conflicts with the
Vetkopers at the time. Nowadays nothing can be found of the stins.
Sloten is mentioned as a city on a charter dated August 30, 1426. In
1523, the city was the last Frisian fortress to fall into the hands of
the heirs of the Counts of Holland. During the siege of Sloten in 1523,
where Frisian and Gelderland troops were stationed, the Dutch nobleman
Jan II van Wassenaer was mortally wounded. The nobleman was the last
Dutchman to die in the battle for supremacy over Friesland.
Sloten was located on the important waterway from Sneek to the Zuiderzee
and on to the Hanseatic cities on the IJssel. In Sloten this waterway
crossed with the country road from Germany to Stavoren (Starum). This
intersection could therefore be used to levy tolls and exercise
strategic control. The country road ran via Doniawerstal over the
gaasten (sand ridges) via Sloten, where the waterway could be bridged,
to Gaasterland and so on to Stavoren, which was a large and important
trading town in the Middle Ages. Sloten also held an important key
position during the Eighty Years' War. The Spaniards tried to conquer
the city by hiding men in a beer ship. The ruse failed. At the end of
World War II, the Germans blew up the bridge over the Ee to slow down
the progress of Canadian troops.
Afterwards, Sloten is no longer
of strategic importance. The city is popular with water sports
enthusiasts and day trippers. A marina was built on the south side of
the city in the 1970s, where several water sports companies are also
located. There is also a large factory in the city that is part of the
Nutreco group. The company produces milk replacers for young stock
(calves, piglets, etc.). In the vicinity of Sloten there is a lot of
livestock farming, which forms an important basis for the local economy.
Afterwards, Sloten is no longer of strategic
importance. The city is popular with water sports enthusiasts and
day tourists. On the south side of the city, a marina was built in
the 1970s where several water sports companies are also located.
There is also a large factory in the city that is part of the
Nutreco concern. The company produces milk replacers for young
cattle (calves, piglets, etc.). There is a lot of livestock farming
in the vicinity of Sloten, which forms an important basis for the
local economy.
The city has almost completely preserved the
original walls and the original structure of Sloten has been almost
completely preserved. The fortress was designed and built by the
renowned fortress builder Menno van Coehoorn, who is buried in
nearby Wijckel. Sloten was the ideal city in fortress terms, its
shape resembles an onion, so the city is also called the "sipelstêd"
(onion city). The Sipelsneon is held in Sloten.
Sloten had
about 760 inhabitants in 2012 and is therefore not the smallest city
in the Netherlands, although that is often said. The city is the
smallest Frisian city.