In addition to its beautiful nature, De Alde Feanen also has a rich cultural history. The area tells the story of the people who once lived and worked here, often under challenging circumstances.
From a cultural-historical perspective, De Alde Feanen is a fascinating area. Life here was not always easy, and the hard — sometimes impoverished — existence of the former inhabitants is reflected in several small museums found in the region. These include the Skûtsje Museum, It Kokelhûs fan Jan en Sjut, Museum Ald Slot, and Museum Warten. A special mention is the Mineralogical Museum in Grou, where you can see a large collection of minerals and rocks. Just outside the area, about a 20-minute drive away, you will find what is often called the most kid-friendly museum in Friesland. At the Friesland Nature Museum, children and families can explore nature through interactive activities, experiments, games and surprising discoveries about animals and plants.
Within National Park De Alde Feanen, there is also much to experience in the field of art. Water has long been an endless source of inspiration for artists. Several galleries can be visited in and around the park, such as Galerie Koopmans in Earnewâld, where works by the well-known Frisian expressionist Klaas Koopmans and his son Gosse Koopmans are exhibited. In Grou, the work of nautical artist Ad van Leeuwen can be seen at Ad Art and Design Gallery. At Het Pand in Grou, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery, glass art and many other works by artists from the wider region are on display.
Art can also be discovered outdoors in National Park De Alde Feanen. One of the most well-known artworks is the statue of the skaters. This steel sculpture standing in the water refers to “De 100 van Earnewâld,” a natural ice skating race. Three former winners of this race served as models for the sculpture.
