Monuments
” Enkhuizen is a city with a rich history. Within the old rampart you will find over 350 national monuments, each with a unique and fascinating story. Take a closer look at Enkhuizen and taste at every street corner the impressive history of a Golden Age city with allure. “
Beautiful monuments in Enkhuizen
Drommedaris
The Drommedaris was built as a city gate in the rampart that surrounded Enkhuizen at the time. It was also a defense tower, watching over the city's harbors and overlooking the former Zuiderzee. The Drommedaris now houses Cultural Center De Drom and Cinema Enkhuizen.
The Koepoort
The Koepoort is a city gate in Enkhuizen. For centuries, the gate was the western entrance gate to the city of Enkhuizen and is part of the city's fortifications. The slight bend in the gate opening was deliberately made to make shooting through the gate impossible. On the city side stands the statue of the City Virgin of Enkhuizen.
City Hall
The Town Hall is the epitome of the large, prosperous city that Enkhuizen was in the Golden Age. The master builder was Steven Vennekool, a pupil of Jacob van Campen. The interior is largely authentic and features rich painting. The workrooms are still in use and the historic Schepenenkamer is a popular wedding venue.
Western Church
The Wester- or St. Gomaruskerk is counted among the 100 most beautiful national monuments in the Netherlands and stands in the historic heart of Enkhuizen. Construction started around 1470 and would last almost fifty years.
Also interesting...
Open Monument Day
During Open Monument Day (every second weekend of September), doors open to you that remain closed the rest of the year. Each year Open Monumentendag is linked to a national theme. Enkhuizen follows this theme extensively.
Snouck van Loosenpark
The Snouck van Loosenpark is one of the most beautiful places in Enkhuizen, full of peace and greenery. The historic park is one of the first social housing projects in the Netherlands. In the summer a cozy flea market is held here.
Treasures from The Golden Age
Come and discover The Golden Age in Enkhuizen! Admire the ships in the harbors and walk past the numerous monuments. Everywhere in Enkhuizen you can still taste the atmosphere of a rich VOC past. Take a look at the 'treasures' from The Golden Age.
Walking in Enkhuizen
Using a city walks booklet, you can walk past Enkhuizen's most beautiful monuments and experience for yourself that time has stood still in some places. You can choose from a variety of walks at VVV Enkhuizen.
Also read Overnight in monumental greenery
The Snouck van Loosen Park's superintendent's house is currently occupied by Ingrid Mol and her family. Whether they still have the keys to all the homes in the park, you can ask them yourself. In fact, part of the villa is set up as a B&B. How chic is that?
Guided tour of Drommedaris
A tour of the tower: the story begins in 1540 with a smaller and very different looking gate. Along the old stairs we climb up, the Drom grows and the years pass. A view of the historic orange roofs of Enkhuizen and we descend again along the new staircase and the theater that the Drom now is. Reservations can be made at info@drom.nl
Podcasts about the Drommedaris
More monuments
Enkhuizen is a city with a rich history. Within the old ramparts you will find over 350 national monuments, each with a unique and fascinating story. Take a closer look at Enkhuizen and taste at every street corner the impressive history of a VOC city with allure.
As part of the city wall, the Drommedaris functioned as a city gate and defense tower, watching over the harbors and overlooking the then Zuiderzee. Over the centuries, the building served as a prison, warehouse, telegraph and post office, café, youth hostel and today as a cultural center.
Snouck van Loosen house (1742)
In her will, Margaretha Snouck van Loosen stipulated that her house should be furnished for unmarried ladies or widows “from the decent classes. Since the ladies’ house opened in 1893, time has virtually stood still here. The Snouck van Loosen House is only open to the public during Open Monument Day.
At 125 Westerstraat stands the Mint, the building where VOC coins were minted. This was done alternately in Enkhuizen, Hoorn or Medemblik. The beautiful facade has remained virtually intact. Today, this special building houses a women’s clothing store.
This building shows a picture of the early Renaissance in the northern Netherlands. Even the original weighing mechanism of the weighing hall has been preserved. The Weigh House is open to the public only during Open Monument Day.
The epitome of the great, prosperous city that Enkhuizen was in the Golden Age. The interior is largely authentic and features rich painting. The workrooms are still in use and the historic Schepenenkamer is a popular wedding venue. The Blue Hall of the City Hall regularly hosts exhibitions. The remaining rooms are still in use as workrooms and not open for viewing.
The remarkable tall narrow building constructed entirely of brick on a rectangular plan is almost entirely preserved in the state in which it was built. Old instruments of torture can also be found in the prison.
The Netherlands still has only one seventeenth-century city library preserved in its original location. That is the librije of Enkhuizen. This historic public library has retained its own unique character. The Librije space is part of the Westerkerk.
Enkhuizen in the Golden Age
Do you want to discover the treasures of the Golden Age in Enkhuizen? Then read our blog about the monuments and sights from the VOC era.
Or check out our blog about Curious Aagje and other hero(s) from the Enkhuizen of the Golden Age.
Want to see and know more?
The booklet City Walk Enkhuizen takes you past many of these special places and includes a map in addition to fun facts and lots of great photos. The booklet is available from VVV Enkhuizen e.o.
Check out our city walks page for even more city walks through Enkhuizen!
