Enkhuizen

The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen brings to life the stories of the people who used to live by the former Zuiderzee sea. See, hear, feel and taste life as it was by the sea before the Afsluitdijk great barrier dam changed it into the IJsselmeer lake in 1932. The museum focuses on the area's history, current status and future. The themes of water, crafts and communities take central stage. The stories are visualised in both the historical buildings of the outdoor museum and the thematic exhibitions at the indoor museum.

A town walk is the most informative way to explore Enkhuizen. A town walk map and information booklet is available from the tourist information office, but you can also book a guided walk.

The Enkhuizen Bottled Ships Museum is a unique Westfrisian museum. It is located in the fine 17th-century Sluice Gate House built over the outlet sluice near the Drommerdaris tower. It houses the world's largest collection of ships in bottles in all shapes and sizes from all over the world. Immerse yourself in the magic of the tiny ship in the bottle and experience its voyage through the neck of the bottle into its home port. With a permanent video presentation as well as regular live presentations, you will soon know all there is to know about the craft.

Enkhuizen is more than a fishing town on the former Zuiderzee sea. The town also has a historic farmers' district with numerous waterways that connected the town farms with the farmlands in the polder. An Enkhuizen canal cruise will show you all around.

The 15th-century St. Pancras or Zuiderkerk church is a unique listed building in the centre of the historic town of Enkhuizen. The striking tower is connected to a beautiful church building where many cultural-historical treasures can be admired. The oldest wooden painted ceilings in the Netherlands, the monumental organ from the 16th century, the tombstones and the murals are definitely worth a visit.

Since times immemorial, the southern town gate has been referred to as Drommedaris which translates into 'dromedary'. The gate was built in 1540 as part of the medieval walls around the town to defend the town and harbour. The clear sounds of its Hemony clocks sound every 15 minutes. In this day and age, the tower houses a cultural centre with a café, theatre and cinema.

The park, a social housing project funded by the Snouck van Loosen family legacy, dates from 1897 and is located on land that used to be a harbour. A condition for the construction of the park was that the project was to be realised by residents of the town of Enkhuizen only. The project gardens were constructed in two styles. The gardens to the west are in the English landscape style - lovely, watery and playful. The eastern gardens are typically French - neat, symmetrical and ordered.

Presented here is the history of the world's oldest almanack that is still published to this very day. The museum is located in a former ice house of the fish auction and market.

The town hall of Enkhuizen was built between 1686 and 1688 to a design by architect Steven Vennekool. It bears a striking resemblance to the palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam.

The Weighhouse in Enkhuizen is one of the few surviving examples of the early Renaissance in the Northern Netherlands. The weighing mechanism in the hall on the ground floor is still there. As of 1636, the surgeon's room was located on the first floor, as well as the meeting and lecture room for the surgeons' guild.

This building's richly decorated façade includes the Enkhuizen en Westfrisian coats of arms. Coins were minted alternately (every 12 years) in Hoorn, Medemblik and Enkhuizen. In 1794, the last coin was minted in Enkhuizen.

This town district emerged after the second town expansion around 1600. For many years, the district with gardens and summer houses formed a refuge for wealthy citizens. The farmers gradually took possession of the area as of 1850. The last town farmer has long left the town, but the district still oozes the rural character.

This interactive museum provides insight into seed production and trade - from collection and breeding to multiplication, improving and marketing. The visitor also learns about the seed industry in the Netherlands and the diversity of jobs that the companies have to offer. Socially relevant topics such as biodiversity, biotechnology, protection of intellectual property, seed disinfection, etc. are highlighted as well.

The Saint Gomarus or Westerkerk church is a 3-aisled hall church whose construction started around the year 1470. The original building plan must have included a tower at the western end of the main aisle, but the tower was never realised. A freestanding wooden clock tower was erected to the east of the church in 1533 or later, which is still standing strong. The church has never lost its character. Special attractions are its choir screen (1547), pulpit (1566), organ (1549) and library. The tombstone covered floor is also very interesting.

Next to the town hall stands a tall, narrow and remarkably crooked building: the town's gaol. The cells are still intact, and some instruments of torture serve as a reminder of their inmates' cruel fates.