Did you know that the First Frisian Skating Museum in Hindeloopen houses the world’s largest collection of ice skates?
Also on display: memorabilia of all Elfstedentochten between 1909 and 1997 including a frostbitten toe from 1963.
This private museum may look small on the outside but inside there are several exhibition rooms packed with many nostalgic artifacts on ice skating and sleighing. This is the result of a hobby that got out of hand. The friendly owners are full of anecdotes and knowledge. Many famous Dutch ice skaters donated medals, trophies and other collectables to the museum.
The famous Eleven Cities Tour
The First Frisian Skating Museum has everything you could ever want to know about the history of the famous Elfstedentocht. From cards that got stamped at each of the cities in the race to an old rescue rope in case someone fell through the ice. And from King Willem-Alexander‘s ice skates (he joined the race in 1986 at the age of 18) to original smithy and carpenter’s workshops.
All explanatory texts are in Dutch
The gift shop sells traditional hand painted Hindeloopen souvenirs and wooden shoes. The adjoining restaurant has a menu of over 50 sweet and savory pancake varieties.
Opening hours
Monday-Saturday 10.00-18.00
Sunday 13.00-17.00
Open all year round except 1 January and 25 December
The museum is wheelchair accessible
Location Eerste Friese Schaatsmuseum
Kleine Weide 1-3
8713 KZ Hindeloopen
www.schaatsmuseum.nl
