Waag, Gothic weigh house in Alkmaar, Netherlands
The Waag stands on Waagplein square with a Renaissance facade and a prominent tower crowned by a mechanical carillon of 47 bells. Today it functions as a museum showcasing the region's commerce and cheese trading heritage.
The structure was built in 1582 within a former 14th-century chapel that once belonged to a hospital. It quickly became the central location for weighing goods in commercial trade.
The building now houses the Dutch Cheese Museum, where exhibits show how this trade shaped local life and commerce for centuries. The displays help visitors understand why cheese became so important to this town's identity.
From April through September, Friday cheese markets take place on the square where traders demonstrate historical commerce. Early morning visits allow you to experience the bustling activity and full atmosphere of the market.
The facade bears a Latin inscription referencing the citizens' victory over Spanish forces that granted them the right to maintain a weigh house. This inscription marks a turning point in the town's autonomy.
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