Hindeloopen, July 1653. The Frisian coastal town is flourishing like never before. Though small in size, it plays a significant role in maritime trade. That summer, around eighty captains sail two or three times via the Baltic Sea to Scandinavia. They depart with Dutch products like gin and wool and return with the finest spruces.

The ships head north for two reasons. First, the forests on the European mainland have been largely depleted, but the Netherlands still requires vast amounts of timber for ship and shipyard construction. Second, the inhabitants of Hindeloopen are Mennonites, opposing war and violence, thus choosing routes free from piracy.

Hindeloopers sail with fluyt ships, characterized by their teardrop shape—narrow at the top and wide at the bottom—allowing for a spacious cargo hold. Notable are the loading hatches at the rear, enabling easy loading of timber into the hold, which has minimal internal partitions. Perfect for long logs.

Oakwood Transom Boards

“The fluyt ship was not only the cargo ship of Hindeloopen but also of the Netherlands,” says Bernhard Hilgers, director of Museum Hindeloopen. “A major advantage was that a small crew sufficed—about eight men. Many fluyt shipwrecks have been found in the Baltic Sea, even as recently as 2020. They are easily identified by the transom boards associated with the decorated stern—the flat rear of the ship. These boards were carved from oak, allowing them to remain intact underwater for extended periods. Hindeloopen examples were often adorned with biblical scenes.”

"Captain's houses were not only large, but also featured richly decorated Sunday rooms: the Hindeloopen room"

Golden Times

Fluyt ships ushered in golden times during the Dutch Golden Age, bringing prosperity to Hindeloopen. In the 17th and 18th centuries, this wealth became increasingly visible, especially among the prominent shipowners residing in grand captain’s houses. “These homes were not only large but also featured richly decorated Sunday rooms—the Hindeloopen rooms,” Bernhard explains. “They had a unique way of showcasing wealth. In Amsterdam, rooms displayed gold, lace, and expensive paintings, whereas the Hindeloopen room was filled with craftsmanship—wall tiles with biblical proverbs and furniture reflecting meticulous labor and Chinese porcelain.”

Local Culture

Beyond maritime trade and the Hindeloopen room, the local culture had more distinctive features. The ornate Hindeloopen painting style, widely applied to furniture, interiors, and utensils in the late 18th century, and the elaborate Hindeloopen traditional costume flourished. Bernhard adds, “And then there’s the unique language: Hylpers. Because Hindeloopen is situated in the remotest corner of Friesland, the language remained largely unchanged. In other regions, dialects evolved due to external influences, but not here. In fact, more than half of the residents still speak Hylpers. It’s a beautiful piece of intangible heritage.”

"Seven years ago, 60 to 65% of the inhabitants still spoke Hylpers"

Renewed Museum

Maritime trade, the Hindeloopen room, traditional costume and painting, and the language—all contribute to the town’s vividly colorful history. Museum Hindeloopen keeps this history alive, now more effectively than ever. “We recently completely renovated the museum, including stunning new display cases for our three fluyt ships,” says Bernhard. “Visitors now truly enter ‘visitor mode.’ Curious about our renovation? Read on!”

Behind every object in a display case lies a unique story. The showpiece hasn’t earned its place behind glass for nothing. We share these historical, thrilling, and captivating tales in our feature: Vitrineverhaal.

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