Blokhuispoort

Heritage

The Blokhuispoort is a cultural business-centre in the lively centre of Leeuwarden. Housed in a former prison, it is now full of creative initiatives, businesses, and pop-up shops- as well as eateries, a hostel, and a brand-new library. In inspiring surroundings, over 130 businesspeople (together) work to provide the most wonderful products and services. The historic building is now also home to the most out-there cultural events in the city.

Drink & Eat at Lokaal Proefverlof
In the second courtyard of the Blokhuispoort, you'll find Proefverlof. Come for great cup of coffee, a drink, lunch, or dinner. For more information, please see www.proefverlof.frl.

Hostel Alibi
You can even stay in the old prison of Leeuwarden at the Hostel Alibi. Want to know how it feels to spend a night in an old (but comprehensively refurbished and now very comfortable) cell? Book direct on www.alibihostel.nl

Cell-block H
In the cell block you will find all kinds of creative people with their own shops. Jewelry, cards, art and design are sold here. A diversity of small entrepreneurs with special products who all have a connection with the Blokhuispoort in their own way.

dbieb

Since 2018, the main library for the city of Leeuwarden has been in the former prison. In dbieb, you'll also find the Cafe de Bak (for a cosy coffee, or lunch)- more information at www.dbieb.nl

Discover Blokhuispoort

You are welcome at this special location seven days a week. There is plenty to see and do! See the historic cells, bunker, boardroom and more every day during a private tour or a public tour with a former warden. Explore the exciting building and listen to masterful stories about escapes and rough life in prison. The open tours are every Saturday at 2:00pm and 4:00pm and on Sundays at 11:00am.

There are also VIP packages in which the light is shined on the restoration of the Blokhuispoort national monument.

Blokhuisplein 40
8911 LJ Leeuwarden

Plan your route

Route Plan your route

Location

Take a look

dbieb
dbieb
dbieb provides public library services in the municipalities of Leeuwarden and Tytsjerksteradiel.

Library
Fries Museum
Fries Museum
Discover the Frisian in yourself at the Fries Museum! Here you will discover all about the eleven cities and the countryside, the love-hate relatio...

Museum
Natuurmuseum Fryslân (Frisian Museum of Natural History)
Natuurmuseum Fryslân (Frisian Museum of Natural History)
An interactive museum for the whole family to enjoy!

Museum
Slieker Film
Slieker Film
Slieker Film is the arthouse cinema at the Wilhelminaplein, Leeuwarden in the Fries Museum.

Cultural organizations
Theaterrestaurant Het Souterrain
Theaterrestaurant Het Souterrain
Experience a theatrical dinner in the palace of the Frisian Nassau's. History, humour and delicious dining go together wonderfully here. From as fe...

Dine
Tryater
Tryater
Tryater is Friesland's most versatile theatre company and the oldest company in the Netherlands. We bring unique and contemporary theatre for young...

Theatre Stage
The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics
The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics
In the middle of Leeuwarden's historic city centre stands the 18th-century city palace of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, princess of Orange Nassau...

Cultural organizations
Het Huis Dat Met Je Hersenen Speelt (Hersenhuis)
Het Huis Dat Met Je Hersenen Speelt (Hersenhuis)
At Het Huis Dat Met Je Hersenen Speelt (The House That Rewires Your Brain), you get a guided tour where you can not only look but (more importantly...

Attraction
Pier Pander Museum
Pier Pander Museum
Temporarily closed

The Prinsentuin, the beautiful city park on the edge of downtown Leeuwarden, houses the museum and temple dedicated to the Frisian sculptor Pier Pa...

Museum
Sint-Bonifatius Church
Sint-Bonifatius Church
The church is named for the heavenly Saint Boniface. It was built in around 1882/4 in Leeuwarden to designs by the architect P.J.H. Cuypers.

Church