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Legends from Edam

Mermaid, Groote Meid and Langebaard

Paintings on the wall at the Edam Museum The exterior of the Edam Museum

The story of the works of art

In Edam, you are almost tripping over the legends. But what is true about all of them? Find out more about the stories behind the Mermaid, Great Maid and Langebaard.

The Mermaid (1679)

Caught in Purmer Lake and brought to Edam. Here she was dressed in women's clothes. Other towns were jealous of Edam, and according to some stories, she was even kidnapped.

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A mermaid on cushion from the Edam Museum

The Great Maid (1633)

Did you know that Edam's Trijntje Keever was a whopping 2.54 metres tall? Hence the name the "Groote Meid". By her parents, she was even displayed at fairs.

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A painting of the Groote Meid in the Edam Museum

Langebaard (1635)

Pieter Dirckszoon Langbaard was a ship carpenter in Edam who grew his beard to metres in length. But why?

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A painting by Langebaard in the Edam Museum

Discover all the legends - in the Edam Museum

Did the Edammers fight in the Crusades in the Battle of Damietta? Is there the legend about the bull that determined where the Great Church should be built and was eventually included in the city's coat of arms?

Find out for yourself at the Edam Museum! Here you can see the various legends in paintings depicting them 'full-length'. You can even admire Trijntje Keevers' original shoes.

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