Waag

The Waag is a Renaissance weigh house in Leeuwarden with a symmetrical layout and central position on Waagplein square. The structure has a passage-type design that allows people to walk straight through the building, creating a defined route that connects two sides of the square.

This weigh house was built in 1595 to control trade through standardized weight measurements and collect taxes for the city. It served as a crucial point for regulating commerce and ensuring fair business practices in Leeuwarden for centuries.

The building shows how trade shaped daily life in Leeuwarden and remains a gathering point in the city center. People still pass through and use the space much as merchants once did when bringing goods to be weighed.

The weigh house sits centrally on Waagplein and is easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the city center. It now functions as a cafe where visitors can rest and experience the historical surroundings while having refreshments.

This weigh house belongs to the passage type, which is characteristic of Friesian weigh houses and differs from tower or portico designs found in other Dutch cities. This design choice creates a natural flow through the building rather than making it an isolated structure.

Location: Leeuwarden

Inception: 1598

GPS coordinates: 53.20056,5.79583

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04