|
Sloten smallest town in the world! DURBUY (B) - The fortified town of Sloten in the Dutch province of Friesland (Fryslân) is the smallest town in the world and not Durbuy in the province of Luxembourg in Belgium. This is the claim made by journalist Albert Hendriks, who is also director of the Friesland Holland tourist office. He ended up in Durbuy by chance during a working visit to the Ardennes. He could not help but notice the huge advertising hoarding in the town square proclaiming 'Durbuy, the smallest town in the world'. After having wandered around the town making photos for four hours he was convinced that Sloten in Friesland was both smaller and als much more authentic.  
Photo 1: The town council of Durbuy in the Ardennes claims that the town is the smallest in the world, as shown by this mosaic in the town centre.
Click on photo to enlarge
 
Click on photo to enlarge
The Frisian town, with its moat, fortifications and water gates as clear boundaries, measures just 350 by 350. Hendriks claims that the less clearly demarcated town of Durbuy is many times larger. Sloten would also seem to have the edge when it comes to the number of residents. About 350 people live in the town centre, while a lot more people appear to live in Durbuy. In addition, Sloten has a well-preserved urban structure and historic buildings, with a minimum of modern premises. "Sloten is so well preserved, it could easily function as an open air museum. Durbuy has a lot of modern elements, such as a long, wide promenade with shops and restaurants. Such as developments have not taken place in Sloten. Sloten looks like an old town, complete with bulwarks and cannons, water gates, a town hall, a pillory and a real town crier."
Surely Sloten cannot be that perfect? "One blot on the landscape is the powdered milk factory on the town's north-eastern periphery which was originally a dairy factory dating from 1903. If that was removed, the town's image would be well-nigh ideal. However, I still think Durbuy is beautiful, and well worth a visit. In some ways it is similar to Sloten. It too has a river running through it, it is medieval, a tourist attraction and is also a water sports centre, but then on a smaller scale, using kayaks." Altough people go canoeing in the canals in and around Sloten and on the nearby Slotermeer lake, the vast majority of vessels used are sailing and motor boats. Sloten is one of the key destinations in Friesland for water sports enthusiasts and holiday cyclists alike. Competition
As Albert Hendriks explains, "The title of 'smallest town' is claimed by a number of small towns. One example is Bronckhorst aan de IJssel in the Netherlands. However, all of these mini towns actually look more like villages than towns because the characteristic urban elements have disappeared. It is all well and good for a town to have granted privileges, it still has to be a real town and there has to be a clear demarcation in the form of fortified walls, moats, ramparts or natural barriers. A town therefore has to be immediately recognisable as a defensive centre, as a coherent whole of historic buildings. The odd relic of times past does not give you the right to claim the title of 'smallest town'. A place like Bronckhorst is interesting from the point of view of regional history, but not on a global scale. Another important aspect is the image that people, that is tourists, generally have of the town. Sloten, and Durbuy as well, fully live up to expactations."  
Photo 1: The Lindegracht canal in Sloten. In the background you can see one of the two water gates, the Woudsender or Sneker gate.
Photo 2: The Lemsterpoort gate (1821) is one of the two water gates.
Click on photo to enlarge
 
The Frisian town of Sloten claims the title of 'Smallest town in the world'. Tours include loud and clear announcements by the town crier, Pieter Haringsma.
Click on photo to enlarge
Friendship
Friesland Holland Tourist Information is going to start promoting Sloten as the smallest town in the world. A promotional logo has already been designed. "I would like to challenge Durbuy defend its title, but I also hope we can establish friendly ties. Durbuy is a charming little town in magnificent surroundings. Perhaps the aim should be for Durbuy and Sloten to share first place on the list of smallest towns in the world."
|
