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Sneek (in Frisian Snits) is a city southwest of Leeuwarden. It is the largest town in the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân and the third place in the province of Friesland (Netherlands). The city has about 33700 inhabitants.
Sneek is located near the Sneekermeer and is known for its historic city center, including the Waterpoort, and the Sneekweek. The city fulfils a central function for the Southwest Corner region and was even the official capital of the province of Friesland from August 1498 to March 1500.
From the 13th century onwards, Sneek obtained various city rights, which were officially established in 1456. Sneek thus became one of the Frisian eleven cities. This was also the beginning of a flourishing period as a trading city that would last until about 1550. In 1492 the construction of a city moat and city wall was started. From that time on, Sneek was the only walled city in Friesland. Of the old fortifications of Sneek, the Waterpoort and the Bolwerk still remain.
The city center of Sneek is located within the city canals. The oldest area is around the mound de Grote or Martinikerk, of which the first construction took place in the 10th century. The entire city centre and station area have been designated as a protected cityscape: the national protected area of Sneek and the station area. In the center there are several canals and many monumental buildings. Parts of the walls and ramparts of the current city centre, in particular the well-known Waterpoort and the Bolwerk, are still present.