About Hindeloopen

The characteristic town of Hindeloopen is situated on the Northeast coast of the IJsselmeer ('Zuiderzee' in the old days) and home town of the Choral- and Dance Society 'Aald Hielpen'.
Hindeloopen is one of the smaller eleven Frisian towns, but has its very own character. This shows in the particular history, a special culture of living, a colourful costume and its own language.

 

In the 17th and 18th century, the main part of the male population of Hindeloopen was involved in trade and shipping to Scandinavia and Russia. The Hindeloopen citizens sailed North to buy wood. Also because of its connections with Amsterdam (capital of the Netherlands), Hindeloopen flourished in this time. The town had approximately 2300 inhabitants, agains about 820 now.

Because of its isolated location, the Hindeloopen women had very little contact with the rest of Friesland and could cherish their own habits and customs. Indoors their houses were mainly paved with tiles and there was Chinese porcelain everywhere. The most spectacular however, was that indeed everything from cabinets, tables to the smallest utensils were painted in the Hindeloopen style. Because of the French occupation, Hindeloopen's heyday ended in the 19th century. The merchants and captains left for Amsterdam and Hindeloopen became a poor fisherman's town. During the 20th century its situation improved slowly because of the rise of tourism.

The rich history of Hindeloopen can still be admired in "Museum Hindeloopen" in Hindeloopen.