Canal Walk Pumerend

(3,0 km)

During the Canal Walk you walk along the existing and filled in canals of Purmerend. Along the way you will learn about the history of this once water-rich city.

Located right in between the Purmer, Beemster and Wormer lakes, before the reclamaton, Purmerend has had many different functions over the centuries. The prosperity of the past is reflected in beautiful architectural styles and idyllic streets. Don't forget to look around you! Do you see the traces that history has left behind? The vistas? And the connection between old and new?

Route
This route can be followed via the yellow arrows that can be found on lampposts, traffic posts or route posts and show you the way along the route. The route starts and ends at the TOP (Tourist Transfer Point) on the Beemsterburgwal.

Useful information
The free brochure with routemap is available at the VVV Museum Shop.

Dit ga je zien

Tourist Transfer Point (TOP) Purmerend

TOPs are Tourist Transfer Points. You can park your car at each TOP and then discover the rural surroundings by bike, on foot or by boat.

Information panel Slot Purmersteijn | Slotplein

The Slotplein is an important, historic place for Purmerend. There is not much left to see now, but this used to be the location of an enormous castle, with large donjons on the corners and huge halls. Even bigger than the Muiderslot!

Information panel Kaasmarkt (Cheese Market)

The Kaasmarkt in Purmerend has a market history of more than 600 years. The first small-scale market was held here in 1484, when it was still called Marktveld and was no more than a small square.

Padjedijk

Until the end of the 19th century, Purmerend consisted almost exclusively of canals. Many of these canals have been filled in to make way for modern means of transport.

Information panel Necker-Poort | Neckerdijk

The Neckerpoort (Neck Gate) is one of the five former gates of the old city of Purmerend.

Painted panels

Look at the panels on the building on the corner of the Nieuwstraat and the Gouw. These panels show a piece of Purmerend’s history.

Information panel Amsterdamsche-Poort | Tramplein

If you look for the tram on Tramplein, you will be disappointed. The name comes from the time when the steam tram from Amsterdam to Alkmaar ran along Purmerend.

Watermark 1916

When you live below sea level, it’s bound to go wrong at some point. In 1916, a major dyke breach south of Volendam put Purmerend under water for more than six weeks.

Historic streets

The townhouses built on the Herengracht, Emmakade, Julianastraat, and others, ooze class and prosperity and were very special in the early 20th century.

Information panel Bastion | Wolthuissingel

The Bastion, or stronghold, was built in 1645 in order to strengthen the defenses of the city.

Information panel Purmer-Poort | Looiersplein

When Purmerend received city status in 1410, ramparts were built around the city and four gates were built on the access roads. These gates were closed at night, making living within the city a lot safer.

Koemarkt (Cattle Market)

Until the eighties of the last century, Purmerend was a bustling 'Market City'. Every week, the Koemarkt would be full of cattle, ready to be sold.

Information panel Hoornsche-Poort | Hoornselaan

The Hoornsche Poort (Hoorn Gate) was the oldest of the city gates that were built around Purmerend after obtaining city status in 1410.

Overweersepolderdijk cemetery

On the Overweersepolderdijk in Purmerend you will find a historic cemetery from 1875 with a chapel from 1878.

Double street name

This is a street that has two names: One half of the street is called Bierkade, the other half is called Venediën.

Vismarkt (Fish Market)

When you say Purmerend, you will most likely think of the Koemarkt and the cattle trade. However, until about 1880 Purmerend was mainly known for fishing and the sale of Purmer eel.