Akademik

(Frisian Frjentsjer)

   This town, first documented in the late 11th century, was the second in importance in the province of Friesland or Frisia, after the capital Leeuwarden. In 1585, a uni versity was founded here, the second in the Northern Netherlands, after Leiden. Famous professors taught here, such as Ulrik Huber and Antonius Matthaeus, and many students were attracted from abroad. In 1816, the academy was turned into an Atheneum, which was closed down in 1844. At present, the city has about 12,500 inhabitants.