Sloten

A small but impregnable fortified city

Friesland’s smallest city was a real fortified city in the 16th century. Sloten was impregnable. This little city with a rampart, five bastions, two land gates and two water gates is, in fortress terms, the ideal city. Its shape is rather round and resembles an onion, which is why Sloten is also called Sipelstêd (onion city).

Present-day Sloten

Now Sloten is only guarded by the two water gates. On the south side the Lemsterpoort (1821) and on the north side of the city the Sneker- or Woudsenderpoort (1768). On the bulwark of the south side is a corn mill. Flour is still made here by traditional methods. A walk across the bastions and along the moat is worthwhile. Also, during the high season, the Sloten canon is fired every Friday evening. The city archer fires the cannon which stands on the mill yard of corn mill De Kaai and city crier Pieter Haringsma gives explanations.

A spectator game

Once every three years, the fortified city of Sloten revives the history of the Middle Ages. During an open-air play, the attack by the Spaniards on 12 May 1588 is re-enacted, and hundreds of Sloten residents, decked out in fine historical attire, together with the old mansions form the backdrop.