Stavoren

When the ferry from Noord-Holland province arrives at the landing stage, the sleepy little coastal village wakes up. Tourists spill out of the ferry excited to set foot on Frisian soil.

The hospitable people of Stavoren send the traveller on his way with a well-filled water bottle and stomach – ready to explore Friesland! But not before he wanders over to the statue of the lady in the harbour to read about the legend associated with Stavoren. Because this sleepy little coastal village has a big history.
Stavoren is one of the oldest towns in the country and in Friesland. It dates to 900AD. It was granted town rights in 1068. For three centuries, Stavoren was a trading town of widespread fame and acclaim. Stavoren skippers and merchants traded with all the countries around the Baltic Sea. As the most important town in Friesland, Stavoren had a special privilege thanks to which skippers from Stavoren could jump the queue at the Strait of Øre Sound where all foreign ships had to pay toll to the Danish Crown. Extra time gained – and time was money even then. In 1285, Stavoren’s merchants joined the Hanseatic League. Stavoren skippers shipped grain from Poland to Amsterdam where it fed the rapidly growing population of Holland: Stavoren’s loyalty did not always lie with Friesland. By 1400, the town had hit hard times, the harbour had silted up, prosperity was over, and people were leaving to make their fortunes elsewhere. The statue of the lady in the harbour reminds us “how the mighty have fallen!”. Six centuries later, the marinas and the ferry bring in tourists. Ponthus Museum gives them some insight into a very remote but adventurous past.