Monnickendam Tourist Attractions

The little town of Monnickendam, on the shores of the Gouwzee and the IJsselmeer, is noted mainly for its smoked fish and as a water sports center. Until it was overtaken by Amsterdam Monnickendam ranked with Edam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen as one of the most important ports on the Zuiderzee.Monnickendam was founded by monks in the 12th century and received its municipal charter in 1335. Its situation on the Zuiderzee with its busy shipping traffic soon brought it prosperity; but when in the 17th century it came to rely on fishing as its main source of income its circumstances were much more modest. Its difficulties were aggravated by a succession of catastrophes: in 1297 it was plundered by the Frisians, in 1494 and 1514 it was ravaged by great fires and in 1570 it fell into the hands of the Geuzen (Beggars).