Listen | Fish Market
Until the early 1600s, Purmerend was sandwiched between the rich fishing grounds of the Purmer, Beemster and Wormer lakes. Three large North Holland lakes that have since been drained.
Especially on the Beemster Lake and in the River Where there was a lot of fishing. Much of this fish was traded in Purmerend. Hence, a large fish market developed here.
The fishing grounds around Purmerend were particularly famous for their tasty eels. From various corners of the world, traders came to the town to buy the famous Purmerder eel. Its delectable taste was probably due to the brackish water in the Beemster Lake and the Where. This was in open connection with the then Zuiderzee. This provided a separate habitat for the eel, which consisted of a mixture of salty seawater and fresh IJssel water.
The tasty fish species was in Western Europe...
Especially on the Beemster Lake and in the River Where, there was a lot of fishing. Much of this fish was traded in Purmerend. Hence, a large fish market developed here.
The fishing grounds around Purmerend were particularly famous for their tasty eels. From various corners of the world, traders came to the town to buy the famous Purmerder eel. Its delectable taste was probably due to the brackish water in the Beemster Lake and the Where. This was in open connection with the then Zuiderzee. This provided a separate habitat for the eel, which consisted of a mixture of salty seawater and fresh IJssel water.
The tasty fish was so popular in Western Europe that it was even shipped alive to London. In this metropolis, Purmerend had its own market stall, also called a fish bank, on the banks of the Thames. This was a privilege that brought the town a lot of money and benefited many a landlord. Like Willem Eggert, Lord of Purmerend. He travelled with Count William I in 1416 during his political visit to London. Not for political reasons, but specifically to promote the Purmerend eel, a true trade mission as we often see today.
Continue straight on and cross the road at the zebra crossing and walk onto the wagon fair.
