REDBAD

the legendary king

Once, in a distant, distant past, a legendary king ruled over the great Frisia. His name was Redbad, the greatest king these regions have ever known. More than a thousand years after his death, we are finally coming to truly know the mighty King of the North Sea.

The Fries Museum is preparing for an epic exhibition. In REDBAD: the legendary king, Frisia of the 7th and 8th century comes to life like never before: a North Sea region stretching from the Dutch to the North German coast and the river area of Utrecht. On display from 5 September 2026 to 7 February 2027.

odin van lejre

comes to the netherlands

Interreg VI programme

supported by the Interreg VI programme Deutschland–Nederland.

the exhibition is the result of years of research, a collaboration between german and dutch universities, museums and research institutions. alongside the exhibition, an rpg is being developed that will also be available as a board game, an open-source online scientific publication, a book, an educational programme for schools, and a supporting programme full of lectures, workshops and more.
Read more.

scientific publication

published february 2027

large collaborative project

Germany–Netherlands collaboration on King Redbad

The Frisian Museum is co-financed by Windpark Fryslân, the Province of Fryslân, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the VriendenLoterij, Ir. Abe Bonnema Foundation, and the Friends of the Frisian Museum.

‘REDBAD: the legendary king’ is made possible in part by the Municipality of Leeuwarden, Province of Fryslân, and the Wassenbergh-Clarijs-Fontein Foundation.

Project REDBAD is made possible by the Interreg VI programme Deutschland–Nederland, with co-financing from the provinces of Fryslân and Groningen and the Niedersächsische Staatskanzlei.

Project REDBAD involves, among others: Ostfriesisches Landesmuseum Emden, Ostfriesische Landschaft, Learning Hub Friesland, educational institution Firda, Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research, Stichting Mythemakers, Fryske Akademy, University of Groningen