Zaanstad - Tsar Peter's House

(Local Name: Czaar-Peterhuisje) It was at Zaandam that Tsar Peter the Great of Russia spent four months in 1697 under the name of Peter Mikhailov in order to learn the crafts of carpentry and shipbuilding - a visit which provided the theme for Albert Lortzing's opera "Zar und Zimmermann" ("Tsar and Carpenter"). His stay is commemorated by the Czaar-Peterhuisje at Krimp 24 and the Tsar Peter Monument in the Damplein.