Edam, Netherlands Attractions

The historic old town of Edam, in the polder area on the IJsselmeer, is world famed for its round red and yellow Edam cheeses as well as the historic structures in the city centre. The cheese market was revived in 1989, mainly for tourists to enjoy, and is held every Wednesday in July and August. The inhabitants live by industry, agriculture, stock-farming and fishing.

Edam grew up around a dam on the Ee, which linked the little river Purmer with the Zuiderzee. When the damming of the rivers flowing into the Zuiderzee began in 1230 a settlement was established for the transshipment of goods, and when tolls began to be levied it developed into a trading town. Edam received its municipal charter in 1357. Its heyday was in the 16th century, when shipbuilding, herring fishing and the cheese trade brought the town prosperity. The warships with which Admiral de Ruyter defeated the British fleet were built in the Edam shipyards. In 1573 William of Orange granted the town the right to have a weigh-house in recognition of its valor and the part it played during the siege of Alkmaar.