The cheese market in Alkmaar: a tradition that you must experience
The cheese market in Alkmaar: a tradition that you must experience
Alkmaar is a wonderful city to live and visit. There is plenty to see and experience: discover the art in the Stedelijk Museum, sail on a boat on the canals, admire the historic buildings or enjoy a nice drink on the Waagplein. And then of course there is the Alkmaar tradition: the Cheese Market.
Cheese market in Alkmaar for over 700 years
The cheese market in Alkmaar has a long history. There was a cheese scale on Waagplein as early as 1365, although it is not certain when the first official cheese market took place. What is certain is the establishment of the cheese carriers' guild in 1593, so the cheese market was already regularly organized around that time.
The market was extremely popular. In the 17th century the cheese market took place every Friday and Saturday between May and November, in the 18th century there were already 4 cheese markets a week. They often lasted until after midnight. The Waagplein always remained the permanent location. Was more space needed? Then houses were even demolished to enlarge the square.
The cheese market now: how does that actually work?
Today, the cheese market still attracts tens of thousands of visitors. It is the largest cheese market in the Netherlands! From April to September the market is every Friday morning from 10:00 am to 13:00 pm. In July and August there is also an evening cheese market every Tuesday between 19:00 PM and 21:00 PM.
The day starts early on Friday. At 07 a.m., trucks bring the cheeses to Waagplein, where the 'setters' unload more than 00 cheeses and place them in long rows. The cheese carriers arrive at 2000:09 am. Are you late? Then you pay a fine. Just like before. Fifteen minutes later, the 'cheese father', the head of the cheese carriers, holds a so-called roll call: are there any special features, is everyone present, who is going to work where?
Then, at 10:00, the time has come. The cheese bell is rung and the market is open. Inspectors inspect the cheeses for quality and taste and then there is an old-fashioned negotiation about the price. Once the deal has been closed, the cheese carriers bring the cheese on a barge to the scales at the Waag. Then they carry the cheese to the trucks. Carrying cheese may seem easy, but make no mistake: there is more than 100 kilos of cheese on a bearer!
