Fleets from the South Sea
A fishing village pure and simple
The glory days of the Zuiderzee fishery
Around 1900, Volendam had around 240 botters and kwakken, making it the largest fishing fleet of all Zuiderzee villages. In these glory days of Zuiderzee fishing, these ships were used for fishing on the Zuiderzee, and later also on the North Sea.
Kwakkuilvisserij
A kwak was a larger type of ship specially designed for kwakkuil fishery: a trawling technique used by Volendam fishermen.
You can imagine how busy it was in Volendam's harbour in that period. And how lively it was at the fish auction where the catch of the day was traded. The success of the Volendam fleet contributed to the village's prosperity and made it an important supplier of fish for the Amsterdam markets.
Fish shop
After the Second World War, the fleet shrank, but Volendam remained an expert in fish, with fish shops all over the country. In any case, do not leave Volendam before tasting its delicious fish.
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