Franeker's City Hall is one of the finest small civic buildings in the Netherlands, a sixteenth-century building in red brick and sandstone with an octagonal stair tower, decorative gables, and a slender spire that dominates the town's main square. It was built in 1591 to replace an earlier structure and is still in occasional ceremonial use.
The interior is open during weekday office hours and is worth the short detour: the council chamber, the wedding hall, and the original kitchen are all preserved. The main square outside — the Voorstraat — is one of the most photogenic spots in Friesland.