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The university, which was founded in Franeker in 1585, was originally a monastery dating from 1468. It was the second university in the Netherlands, after Leiden, which was founded ten years earlier. From the end of the 16th century onwards, the university in Franeker started attracting a great many distinguished academics. This is clear to see In the Voorstraat, where the houses have huge gardens. Details of the university’s history can be found in the Martena Museum, as well as information on the only woman to have attended, namely Anna Maria van Schurman. In 1811, Napoleon downgraded Franeker university to a grammar school and this led to the university closing its doors in 1843.

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