Sloten – 600 years of city rights. From trading place to fortified town.

City Rights

In the Middle Ages, city rights were of great importance. They granted a place certain freedoms, such as the right to hold markets, to govern itself, and to build defensive works. At the same time, these rights also entailed responsibilities. The exhibition explains why towns were granted city rights, what this meant in practice for Sloten, and how these rights contributed to the town’s development.

Through an engaging exhibition and a number of historical objects, Sloten’s past is made accessible to a wide audience. Visitors gain insight into Sloten’s position within Friesland and the role the town played in defending the waterways and the surrounding area.

Twelve Swords

In addition to the temporary exhibition, Museum Sloten is working on a new permanent display centred on the twelve swords of Sloten. This remarkable collection of two-handed swords is unique in the Netherlands and has recently attracted considerable national attention. Experts from the National Military Museum have studied the swords extensively, resulting in coverage in the NOS News, the children’s news programme, and various national media.

The swords tell a compelling story about the Eighty Years’ War and the strategic importance of Sloten during that period. With a new display set to open to the public in September, the museum aims to give these exceptional objects a prominent and lasting place, enabling visitors to better understand the story behind them.

Professional Designers

For the design of both the exhibition and the new display The Swords of Sloten, the museum is working with professional designers specialising in spatial and graphic design. In this way, the museum aims to offer an attractive and accessible presentation for both local residents and visitors from outside the region.

With these projects, Museum Sloten is taking the next step in its continued development. Following the refurbishment in 2023, the museum aims to keep presenting the history of Sloten in a contemporary way through temporary exhibitions and inspiring activities.