Fries Museum

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Founded in 1881, the modern building the Fries Museum is now housed in was the first new Dutch museum building erected in the 21st century. With a collection of 1,000,000 objects, the Fries museum has artefacts from every aspect of Fresian culture. One of the gems of the collection is the 7-foot long sword that once belonged to the legendary local rebel Big Pier. This fabled blade is presented alongside archaeological artefacts, 17th- and 18th-century silverware, and the work of local artists. There’s even a wing dedicated to Mata Hari, the courtesan accused of being a German spy during World War I. Through this mixture of art, artefacts, and historical figures, the museum tries to paint a picture of Fresian culture for locals and visitors alike.