Purmerend city walk
The city walk goes through Purmerend's historic core. You walk past centuries-old squares and through streets where merchants used to trade noisily every week. Don't forget to look up too: facades speak, building styles vary.
Route
This route can be followed via route markers. The red arrows can be found on lampposts/traffic poles or route posts and show you the way along the route. There are several information panels along the way for more information. The route starts and ends at the TOP on the Beemsterburgwal.
Useful information
The free leaflet with map is available from the VVV Museum Shop or can be downloaded as a PDF document.
Take a closer look
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TOP Purmerend
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
TOP Purmerend
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
On the information kiosks at each TOP you will find various routes that lead you to the most beautiful spots, peaceful surroundings and beautiful nature of Laag Holland. During your tour, you will pass surprising resting points and cosy catering establishments, and the TOPs show you the way to find them. You can recognise the TOPs by their green information columns.
Purmerend, the heart of Laag Holland, is the ideal base for exploring the region via walks, cycle rides or boating routes. The town itself is also worth a visit, with its historic market rights dating back to 1484 and a thriving commercial spirit. The town offers plenty of unusual shops for shopping and an array of restaurants and cafés to enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious (local) produce!
Good to know
- Paid parking applies in most parts of Purmerend. Check the municipality's website for current rates and parking options.
Fish market Purmerend
Whoever says Purmerend quickly thinks of the Koemarkt and the cattle trade. Until around 1880, Purmerend was mainly known for fishing and selling Purmer eel.
Fish market Purmerend
Whoever says Purmerend quickly thinks of the Koemarkt and the cattle trade. Until around 1880, Purmerend was mainly known for fishing and selling Purmer eel.
Indeed, Purmerend was then located in the middle of the not yet drained lakes Beemster, Purmer and Wormer.
The eels caught here in the Where and on the Beemster Lake were of a very good quality and in great demand. The pamphlets of the 'Purmer Ale' even hung on the walls as far away as London. The eels were taken to London alive and well in ships with open keels. Here, the town of Purmerend had its own fish bank on the banks of the Thames, where the eel fetched good money.
Of course, not all the fish went to London but eels were also sold on fish banks here in Purmerend, at this spot, now called the Oude Vismarkt. After the reclamation of lakes, eel fishing was lost to Purmerend, but the fish market remained. It is known that the fish market on the present Oude Vismarkt was maintained for fresh fish until around 1880. After 1880, the fish market moved to the Venedien opposite the Catholic school. In 1933, the fish market, the oldest market in the city, was discontinued.
Peperstraat
Peperstraat, together with Hoogstraat and Gouw, is among the oldest streets in the city.
Peperstraat
Peperstraat, together with Hoogstraat and Gouw, is among the oldest streets in the city.
When you look into Peperstraat, you see that the street literally rises. This is because the core of the town centre is higher than the rest of the town. During the 1916 flood disaster, this ensured that this part of Purmerend fortunately kept its feet dry.
The Three Lakes
Until the early seventeenth century, Purmerend was still wedged between three large lakes. To the north was the Beemster Lake, to the east the Purmer Lake and to the west the Wormer Lake. These fish-rich lakes were very important for the prosperity and growth of the village into a market town. Around 1900, a confectioner built a new shop at Peperstraat 9 and the premises are still a confectioner's shop. This premises bears the name 'The Three Lakes', as there are gable stones above the windows that incorporate the arms of the three surrounding drained lakes.
From left to right one sees: the Purmer mermaid, to which a legend is attached. The middle one: the cow of the Beemster with a rising sun in the left corner and lastly: the sheep with an eel from the Wijde Wormer underneath. Above the windows of the second floor proudly displays the Purmerend coat of arms with the three barbs.
Kerkstraat
You will notice that there is no church to be found here. Many historical buildings have been replaced or re-purposed. So has the building of the former Catholic church.
Kerkstraat
You will notice that there is no church to be found here. Many historical buildings have been replaced or re-purposed. So has the building of the former Catholic church.
The church building was partly demolished and converted into Theatre de Purmaryn. When the vicarage and the church houses on Kerksteeg were also demolished, Waagplein was created (Source: Jan Dekkers: "Van Kaatjessteeg tot Padjedijk, herkomst van de Purmerendse straatnamen").
Koemarkt
Purmerend was a bustling 'Market Town' until the 1980s. Large hordes of cows stood on the Koemarkt every week, ready for sale.
Koemarkt
Purmerend was a bustling 'Market Town' until the 1980s. Large hordes of cows stood on the Koemarkt every week, ready for sale.
But there was much more than just trade in cows. How about cheese, fish, sheep and pigs? For each product group there was a specific square allocated in town, this made for a lively town. Tuesday is still market day in Purmerend. The cattle markets are now a thing of the past, though, and so the 'square with the story' has been repurposed. The Koemarkt has become a real catering square with cosy cafés and nice restaurants. Many events also take place here. All this really makes the Koemarkt the 'living room' of the region!
Information panel | Purmer-Poort | Looiersplein
When Purmerend was granted city rights in 1410, ramparts were built around the town and four gates were built on the access roads. These gates were closed at night, making living within the town a lot safer.
Information panel | Purmer-Poort | Looiersplein
When Purmerend was granted city rights in 1410, ramparts were built around the town and four gates were built on the access roads. These gates were closed at night, making living within the town a lot safer.
Anyone who wanted to enter the city had to report to the city gate. This was a way to keep unsavoury types, vagrants and exiles (criminals who had received exile as punishment) out of the city.
The eastern gate was built in 1594 and stood at the end of the Koemarkt near the Looiersplein. This gate was called the Purmerpoort because the road behind it, the Purmersteenweg, led to Lake Purmer. This gate was built in 1594 and, as the last gate, was demolished in 1859. The gate was replaced by two gatehouses, between which there was an iron gate so that the town could still be closed off. Around 1900, the gatehouses disappeared from the cityscape.
Tanners' Square owes its name to the fact that a tannery stood here until 1878. Check out the information panel for more information.
Koemarkt left
Purmerend is located very centrally in North Holland. As a result, traders and consumers from all over the province came to Purmerend on Tuesdays (market day). Naturally, locals were happy to take advantage of this.
Koemarkt left
Purmerend is located very centrally in North Holland. As a result, traders and consumers from all over the province came to Purmerend on Tuesdays (market day). Naturally, locals were happy to take advantage of this.
On Monday evenings, luxury furniture was brought upstairs from the living room, sand was sprinkled on the floors and people transformed the residential houses on the Koemarkt into veritable Tuesday pubs. Traders used the cafés as offices where business transactions were transacted, over drinks of course. On this side of the Koemarkt, you will especially find the nostalgic (beer) pubs of yesteryear.
Also on this side is the former Marketmaster's House, which was moved in its entirety in 2018 to make room for the new events venue opposite, the Markthal Purmerend.
Information panel | Post Bridge | Herengracht
The early 20th century saw the first construction outside Purmerend's town walls. The imposing mansions on Herengracht and Emmakade still stand today.
Information panel | Post Bridge | Herengracht
The early 20th century saw the first construction outside Purmerend's town walls. The imposing mansions on Herengracht and Emmakade still stand today.
A brand new post office was also built. The bridge connecting this neighbourhood to the city centre was therefore called the Post Bridge. The post office has not been used for years, but the bridge's name has stuck.
Also check out the information panel for more information
Information panel | Amsterdamsche-Poort | Tramplein
If you look for the tram on Tramplein, you will be disappointed. The name dates back to the days when the steam tram from Amsterdam to Alkmaar ran past Purmerend. From Tramplein you could quickly reach the city centre via one of the city gates back then.
Information panel | Amsterdamsche-Poort | Tramplein
If you look for the tram on Tramplein, you will be disappointed. The name dates back to the days when the steam tram from Amsterdam to Alkmaar ran past Purmerend. From Tramplein you could quickly reach the city centre via one of the city gates back then.
You used to find the Amsterdamsche Poort here, one of Purmerend's town gates, on the access road to and from Amsterdam. It's an extraordinary idea to think that some 100 years ago, the town was actually locked at night! Tramplein is now a bus station and still provides a quick connection to neighbouring towns, and the current station building dates from 2014. The facade of the building features glass panels with historical images of Purmerend.
After 1900, construction also took place outside the city moat. This started with a post office, but whole new neighbourhoods soon followed. The town's latest expansion can be found across the legendary 'Melkwegbrug. This bicycle and footbridge connects old Purmerend with the city's largest residential area 'Weidevenne'. Check out the information panel (to the right of the bridge) for more information.
Information panel | Cheese market Purmerend
Purmerend's Cheese Market has a market history of over 600 years. The first small-scale market was held here in 1484, when the square was still called Marktveld and was no more than a small square.
Information panel | Cheese market Purmerend
Purmerend's Cheese Market has a market history of over 600 years. The first small-scale market was held here in 1484, when the square was still called Marktveld and was no more than a small square.
After the reclamation of De Beemster in the early 17th century, the market really started to grow. To cope with this growth, the town underwent some reorganisation. The cattle market was moved to the old Kloosterwerf (now the Koemarkt). The square itself also changed. A few buildings were demolished to make room, the town hall was set back 10 metres, the big church was demolished and even the cemetery was closed and paved over for market trade.
Eventually, all markets were spread across the town and the cheese market was the only place where cheese was traded. With peak years of four million kilos of cheese a year, the Purmerend cheese market was the second largest cheese market in the Netherlands, after Alkmaar. Yet the Purmerend cheese market was more innovative. Whereas in Alkmaar the cheeses were still carried on berries to the Waag by cheese carriers, in Purmerend cheese bins with a wheeled trolley were used. The backs of the cheese carriers lasted longer in Purmerend!
In the mid-20th century, the industrialisation of the dairy industry overtook the traditional Cheese Market. Shortly before 1940, the very last Cheese Market was held in Purmerend. Its success certainly contributed to Purmerend's status as the market town of North Holland. A visit to the Cheese Market is still worthwhile today. You will find terraces, the Nicolaaskerk and the impressive Purmerends Museum in the old town hall. Also take a look at the information panel.
Padjedijk
Until the end of the 19th century, Purmerend consisted almost exclusively of canals. Many of these canals were filled in to make way for modern means of transport.
Padjedijk
Until the end of the 19th century, Purmerend consisted almost exclusively of canals. Many of these canals were filled in to make way for modern means of transport.
Yet you can still find many references to the time when there were only a few dykes running through the centre and the boat was the main means of transport. Just look at the name signs in the city. Padjedijk (the pathway to the dyke) is an example of this.
Krommesteeg
It takes some searching, but be sure to walk down this alley from Padjedijk.
Krommesteeg
It takes some searching, but be sure to walk down this alley from Padjedijk.
Experience the narrow passageways of yesteryear and look up at the end of the alley on the left. Here you will find a beautiful authentic wall advertisement.
Information panel | Slot Purmersteijn | Slotplein
Slotplein is an important, historic spot for Purmerend. Not much of it can be seen now, but until the mid-18th century, a huge castle with substantial donjons at the corners and large halls stood here. Even bigger than the Muiderslot!
Information panel | Slot Purmersteijn | Slotplein
Slotplein is an important, historic spot for Purmerend. Not much of it can be seen now, but until the mid-18th century, a huge castle with substantial donjons at the corners and large halls stood here. Even bigger than the Muiderslot!
The important administrative and military centre Slot Purmersteijn was built in 1410 by the wealthy banker Willem Eggert. As tresor of Holland and Zeeland, he was one of the most powerful men in the county. He used his power to tackle fraud and bribery within the Dutch nobility. Under his leadership, West Friesland, Texel and the Kop van Noord-Holland were freed from noble tyranny and most villages gained self-government.
This was not reciprocated by Eggert. During his lifetime, he received many an angry letter from the Dutch nobility. After his death, his family was disposed of by this group, so the name Eggert has no further relevance in Purmerend history. The castle also came back into the hands of the noble families, who left the management entirely to a castellan. Over the centuries, Slot Purmersteijn became a hated symbol of the power of castellors and the Prince of Orange in particular. When the opportunity arose, the Purmerend regents demolished the castle in 1741.
In the castle square, where the entrance to the castle was originally located, you will find only a replica of a piece of the castle wall. Also take a look at the information panel for more information.
TOP Purmerend
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
TOP Purmerend
TOPs, short for Tourist Transfer Points, offer a convenient start to your exploration of the rural area. Each TOP provides parking facilities, after which you can explore the area by bike, on foot or even by boat
On the information kiosks at each TOP you will find various routes that lead you to the most beautiful spots, peaceful surroundings and beautiful nature of Laag Holland. During your tour, you will pass surprising resting points and cosy catering establishments, and the TOPs show you the way to find them. You can recognise the TOPs by their green information columns.
Purmerend, the heart of Laag Holland, is the ideal base for exploring the region via walks, cycle rides or boating routes. The town itself is also worth a visit, with its historic market rights dating back to 1484 and a thriving commercial spirit. The town offers plenty of unusual shops for shopping and an array of restaurants and cafés to enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious (local) produce!
Good to know
- Paid parking applies in most parts of Purmerend. Check the municipality's website for current rates and parking options.