This is Alkmaar
With over 108,000 inhabitants, Alkmaar is the fifth largest municipality in North Holland. In 2015, the municipality of Alkmaar merged with the former municipalities of Schermer and Graft-De Rijp.
With over 108,000 inhabitants, Alkmaar is the fifth largest municipality in North Holland. In 2015, the municipality of Alkmaar merged with the former municipalities of Schermer and Graft-De Rijp.
In the year 1254, Alkmaar received city rights from Count Willem II of Holland and from then on Alkmaar flourished. Many of the beautiful historic facades, canals and beautiful merchant houses you encounter in the city centre are remnants from the time when Alkmaar was a rich trading venue. Alkmaar has many monuments of which, the 17th century Waaggebouw (1603), the City Hall in the Langestraat (1520) and the Great Saint Lauren Church with its famous organs (1518) are the best known. Also within the Alkmaar city centre, there are many hidden courts [hofjes], such as het Hof van Sonoy and Wildemanshofje, where it seems as though time had stood still.
Alkmaar is known as the cheese city of Holland far beyond the national borders. From historical records, it appears that Alkmaar had a cheese scale as early as the year 1365. The city has the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands. On June 17, 1593, the Cheese Carrier Guild was established so for almost 425 years, the cheese carriers at Het Waagplein have traditionally done their work. On Fridays during the cheese market season, which runs from April to September, people from all over the world come to Alkmaar to enjoy this colourful spectacle
In the morning, the Cheese Market begins with the cheeses set in a long row at the Waagplein. This long rows of cheeses is a beautiful sight. After the cheese bell rings at 10 o'clock, the trading starts and the Cheese Carrier Guild comes into action. They transport the bulky cheeses on special support structures called "berries" to the weighing scales where they are weighed by sworn suitors. In the square, the quality controllers check the quality of the cheese and the traders then negotiate via hand slaps (handjeklap) over the price. In the meantime, the cheese girls, dressed in traditional costume, promote the cheeses and have photos taken with the visitors. At 12.30, the cheese trade stops and the Waagplein is then transformed back into a large terrace where you can enjoy the sunshine.
Do not forget to also go behind the Waaggebouw, where the bronze statue of "The kissing cheese girl" rests, because it is said that, "Whoever has not kissed with "The Cheese Girl" has not been in Alkmaar".
By far the most important date in Alkmaar's history is October 8, 1573. This is the day when the brave people of Alkmaar defeated the Spanish army in the 80-year war. The famous 'House with the bullet' in the Appelsteeg still reminds us of the fierce battle. Every year, the Alkmaar victory will be celebrated on and around 8 October during 'Alkmaar Ontzet' and the Victorious celebrations.
At the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, which is one of the oldest city museums in the Netherlands, you will learn more about the famous history of Alkmaar. Here, The Golden Age, Victory! And Portrait of Alkmaar highlights the famous city’s history. The museum also offers a surprising presentation of her beautiful collection of Bergense School of art. You can also book a city walk with a guide at the VVV at the Waagplein.
In addition to rich history, the municipality of Alkmaar has a large cultural offering with 9 museums, including the Stedelijk Museum and the Holland Cheese Museum and a variety of areas of natural beauty. It is, as it were, 'little Holland'. Nowhere else in the Netherlands do you find so many 'Dutch aspects' in such a limited area. The tulip bulb fields, the mills, a cultural-historic city center with beautiful facades and hidden courtyards and all less than 10 km from the North Sea beach.
The cozy seaside towns of Bergen aan Zee and Egmond aan Zee are easily reachable by bike or by public transport. In addition, Amsterdam is only 30 kilometers from Alkmaar. There is a direct train link between the two cities. So when staying in Alkmaar you can easily go for a daytrip in Amsterdam - and vice versa.
The picturesque villages of De Rijp, Graft and Grootschermer belong to Alkmaar. Here you will find cozy restaurants with terraces in the middle of nature. In De Rijp, there are also some interesting museums. The Land of Leeghwater, which contains many of Alkmaar's villages, includes the Schermer and the Eilandspolder which are ideal places if you like windmills and tulip bulb fields. In Schermerhorn you can visit the beautiful windmill museum and there is also much more to see and do. This is an ideal destination for a day of cycling (hire) from Alkmaar. You can find several beautiful cycling routes on www.landvanleeghwater.nl.
People come from all over the Netherlands to go shopping in Alkmaar as the historical centre of Alkmaar has a very cozy appearance with its many monuments. The extraordinarily large and diverse range of stores ensures that Alkmaar belongs to the top of the Dutch shopping centres.
In the Langestraat and the Late, you will find branches of all known retail chains. In addition, you should not miss the "Old Town" and other smaller streets. Behind the photogenic facades in, for example, the Fnidsen, the Hekelstraat and the Magdalenenstraat there are numerous attractive shops.
After shopping and enjoy the sunny terraces, Alkmaar has many squares with nice restaurants. The best known of these are at the foot of the beautiful Waagplein, on the picturesque Platte Stenenbrug and in the Church Square at the Grote Kerk.