Allemastate
Frisian farmstead, its front section is the remains of a medieval hall house (15th century)
Staten en Stinzen: Castles, country houses and estates
Castles, country houses and estates …
Outside of Friesland, 'staten en stinzen' are also known as castles, country houses and estates. But what exactly were these castles or country estates? There were hundreds of terps (mounds) in Friesland during the Middle Ages and many of them were topped with a castle: a stone tower with thick walls that provided protection for the terp dwellers in times of battle. There is one completely intact castle tower remaining: de Schierstins; the remains of some can be found throughout Friesland. There are more early stone houses in the towns (medieval townhouses) which were considerably remodelled over time.
Many stone houses were demolished but some of them have evolved over the centuries. These dwellings were extended by their residents (country gentry) and developed into larger properties known as 'staten' (cf. 'estates'). But here, too, most of them have been lost. That is why those that are still there are valued so much. Similarly, their successors such as country houses, manor houses and estates are highlighted. See the map above for the properties and below for the Inventory of the properties. Further information about approximately sixty properties and the opening arrangements can be found on this website.
Do not forget to zoom in on the map: after that please click on an icon and multiple historic properties may appear.
Botniastins, Klein Botnia
15th-century medieval townhouse, served as a residence for university teachers and later it was occupied by orphans. Today Academy.
Camstrastins
Farmstead includes the remains of manor house and even older stone house, mainly cellars (approx. 1400)
Open to the public
Dekema State
Originally a 15th-century manor house with period rooms and very beautiful gardens. Open to visitors.
Epemastate
Monumental 17th-century country estate with a nineteenth-century appearance; large 17th-century gatehouse. Culinary arrangements, wedding venue. The estate can host conferences, receptions and parties. B&B Guest House Accommodation in gatehouse ('Poortwachterssuite')
Open to the public
Fogelsangh State
17th-century country estate, includes museum collection in period rooms and large parkland (woodland). Open to visitors.
Glinstrastate
19th-century manor house with orangery and public garden. Multifunctional centre.
Groot Deersum
Gatehouse dating back from 1658. Moated site, formerly occupied by a manor house
Grovestins
Dwelling known as The Doctor's Home, the reduced remains of a 17th-century manor house on site of older house.
Harinxmastate
19th-century neoclassical manor house, reconstruction of a house in Drachten, surrounded by a park. Private residence.
Open to the public
Harstastate
Country house with large garden and outbuildings, dating from before 1511. The property used to be a large country house estate during the eighteenth century. B&B in farmhouse.
Hemmemastate
Gatehouse of a very early house outside the dyke, converted into dwelling house. Last remnant with redesigned Hemmema Park.
Open to the public
Heremastate Joure
Former manor house. The park is still there and so is one hall.
Open to the public
Heringastate (Poptaslot)
Originally a fifteenth-century castle which has been managed by custodians ever since 1712. 17th-century gatehouse. Surrounded by moat and with gardens. Open to visitors.
Open to the public
Huis Van Eysinga
Late 18th-century townhouse has older basement. Museum house. Open to visitors.
Open to the public
Jongemastate
Gatehouse (1603) of former manor house whose contours are reflected by planting schemes (stinzen plants) in the parkland.
Julius van Gheelhuis
Originally built on the foundations of a townhouse from 1545, this house was radically altered.The tower dates from 1976. .
Keimpemastins
Restored medieval townhouse, Leeuwarden's oldest house: medieval townhouse from early 14th century, served as a rectory for a long time.
Kippenburg
19th-century country house in wooded area. Possibility of weekend or (mid)week rental.
Klein Jagtlust
Private residence, 19th-century country house set in large, beautiful garden.
Liauckamastate
The gatehouse(1604) is all that remains from the demolished grand manor house, first mentioned in the 14th century. The manor house was best known for the 'Pipenpoy Wedding' . Moated site and tree line still recognisable.
Lindenoord
18th-century manor house with Louis XVI style elements. Will be a restaurant in the near future.
Lycklamahûs
19th century house with aside the original coach house. Both at the back and the frontside a lot of green. Part of the municipality buildings
Lyndenstein
19th-century country house (1821), includes a garden separate from the house at the other side of the road, a so-called 'Overtuin'. Now the house serves as office space for a convalescent home. The 'Overtuin' is open to visitors.
Open to the public
Martenahuis, Museum Martena
Medieval townhouse from 1506. Nowadays Museum Martena: many authentic building elements. Generous back garden with stinzen plants. Open to visitors.
Open to the public
Martenastate
Landscape park with stinza plants. Once part of a 15th-century manor house, nowadays a residence from 1899. The landscape park is open to visitors.
Monsmastate
Manor house from 1709, both house and gardens were radically altered. Private residence.
Open to the public
Oenemastate
In origin, a 16th-century mansion with Neo-Renaissance façade. Paintings on the ceiling (17th century) Now a hotel and grand café.
Open to the public
Oostenburg
Originally, an 18th-century manor house, which was demolished in 1837 and was more or less restored directly thereafter. Now Kollumer Museum 'Mr Andrae'.
Oranjestein
Large 19th-century neoclassical country estate set in parkland (Roodbaard). Private residence.
Oranjewoud
Large 19th-century neoclassical country house built on the foundations of a former palace. Parkland and public 'Overtuin' (garden at the other side of the road) Offers conference facilities.
Philippusfenne, Huis Andreae
19th-century Notary house with beautiful gardens (stinzen plants) Visits to gardens in March and April by appointment only.
Open to the public
Princessehof
Both city palace and mansion, and birth place of Maurits Escher. These buildings house the National Museum of Ceramics.
Rijsbergen
18th-century manor house of the former owner of the Frisian Wadden Island of Schiermonnikoog. Now a monastery.
Riniastate
Beautifully located 19th-century neoclassical country house set in large garden. Private residence
Rinsmastate
Originally, 16th-century country house set in parkland. In 1947 the house was restored after war damage.
Roordastate, ook wel 't Ald Slot
Roordastate, also known as 't Ald Slot In the 19th century the manor house was built from building material taken from the old house. The gable stone was relocated from its original location to the Roordastate.
Roptastate
19th-century country house with redesigned landscape garden (Roodbaard). The house was radically altered over the centuries.
Schatzenburg
18th-century manor house, in which the staircase is the most recognisable Louis XIV style element. Surrounded by beautifully restored park, open to visitors on Heritage Open Days.
Open to the public
Schierstins
Unique, medieval tower house (approx. 1300), which was extended over time. Now a culltural centre which accommodates a permanent exhibition. Name giver of the 'stinzen plants'. Open to visitors.
Sickemastate
Gatehouse, dating from before 1614, is all that remains from a demolished country house.
Sjuxmastate
Very fine 17th-century, restored gatehouse of demolished manor house. The gatehouse contains pigeonholes on the inside of the gatehouse arch.
Open to the public
Stadhouderlijk hof
From 1587 until 1747 it used to be the residence of the so-called 'stadtholders' (BE:Lord Lieutenant). In 1709 the buildings were renovated into one palace and in 1880 another renovation took place. The Nassau Room stands out.
Open to the public
Staniastate
19th-century country house which was first mentioned in the 16th century. The house is set in landscaped parkland ( Roodbaard). Brasserie, B&B.
Open to the public
Sytzamahuis
Imposing manor house from 1809, opposite the church. At present Grand Café.
Open to the public
Vijversburg
19th-century neoclassical manor house set in extensive parkland and site for artistic purposes. The grounds are used for artistic purposes and open to visitors.
Waltastins
Medieval townhouse from 1540. Afterwards part of the town hall. Recent restoration made it recognizable.