Edam a historic city (4K)

The town of Edam was founded around a dam crossing the river E or IJe close by the Zuiderzee, now known as the IJsselmeer.

Around 1230 the channel was dammed. At the dam goods had to be transferred to other vessels
and the inhabitants of Edam could levy a toll.

This enabled Edam to grow as a trade town. Shipbuilding and fishing brought Edam more wealth.

By the 16th century there were as many as 33 wharves in Edam,
which, along with the fact that Edam was also granted the right
to hold a market .

However, the open sea mouth caused flooding problems
in the hinterland and in 1544 the Emperor Charles V gave orders
to close the harbour with lock gates

This resulted in the harbour silting up and the ship building industry went into a decline by the end
of the 17th century.

The cheese market was the primary resource of the economy
of Edam in the 16th century.

The most remarkable landmark is the St. Nicolas church

The "Grote Kerk" or St. Nicholaaskerk, of cathedral dimensions, was probably built at the beginning of the 15th Century.
St Nicholas church is one of the largest 3-ridged churches
in Europe.

Records suggest that the Church of Our Dear Lady was present on the site since 1350 and its tower dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. Though the church was demolished in 1882 the late
Gothic Carillon tower survives.

The bells,, were made in 1566 and still ring out a short melody every 15 minutes.

After Edam was granted the right to have weekly markets,
commercial cheese markets in the town until 1922.

Since 1989, the cheese market in Edam has been revived as
a re-enactment for tourists. It is held each July and August