Edam, Netherlands Tourist Attractions
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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.
Grote Kerk
The Grote Kerk or St Nicolaaskerk in Grote Kerkstraat is a Late Gothic hall-church with a 15th century tower and beautiful 17th century stained glass. The furnishings of the church also date mainly from the 17th century.
Town Hall
The Town Hall (Stadhuis), on Damplein, with its domed timber tower, was built in 1737. The floor of the registry office is still strewn with sand, as in the Middle Ages. There is a small collection of pictures in the very fine Council Chamber.
Damsluis
Opposite the Town Hall is the Damsluis. The bridge over the sluice has fine Late Gothic iron railings.
Speeltoren
The 15th century tower of the old Church of Our Lady (destroyed) in Edam has the oldest carillon in the Netherlands (1560).
Municipal Museum
The Municipal Museum (Stedelijk Museum) at Damplein 8 occupies a house dating from 1540, with a beautiful facade of 1737. It has a curious floating cellar in the form of a boat. The most striking items in the museum are the paintings of three local characters - the "Fat Man" (who is said to have weighed 445 pounds), the "Man with a Beard" and the "Big Girl" (depicted life-size, 2.5m/8ft2.5in tall).
Weigh House
In the Weigh-House (Waag) in the Kaasmarkt in Edam, the original weights can still be seen.
Spuistraat Bridges
The water between the two bridges in Spuistraat is known as the boerenverdriet ("farmers' sorrow") because the farmers' boats often get stuck here. In July and August there are boat trips in the IJsselmeer.
Cheese Market
The famous Edam cheeses are brought to market in boats of traditional type and carried to the weigh-house, which dates from 1778, by porters in period costume.
