Enkhuizen Attractions

Enkhuizen was the birthplace of the painter Paulus Potter (1625-54), whose life-size "Bull" can be seen in the Mauritshuis in The Hague.

Enkhuizen was the administrative center of Friesland until 1289, when western Friesland became part of the County of Holland. Count Floris V granted the town its municipal charter in 1355, and thereafter it began to flourish. The town walls were built around 1550 and strengthened in the early 17th century. Enkhuizen was one of the first towns to revolt against Spanish rule in 1572. Its ships, along with those of Hoorn, Edam and Monnickendam, took part in the naval battle in October 1573 in which a Spanish fleet commanded by Admiral Bossu was defeated. The population fell sharply after an outbreak of plague in 1636. With the construction of the Afsluitdijk, Enkhuizen's importance as a port was reduced, and as a result the town's economy has increasingly come to depend on agriculture and horticulture.

Tourism is an important aspect of the economy due to the inner portion of the town still intact including two 15th century churches and the 17th century city walls, gates and tower. There is also an open-air museum that reflects life throughout history.