Overlooking the waters of the Markermeer, Monnickendam is a historic city north-east of Amsterdam. It was originally established by monks and received its city rights in 1355 before flourishing as a trade hub in the 17th century. Each year, Monnickendam hosts a lively festival that recreates the fish auctions of times gone by.
Things to do in Monnickendam
Spend an afternoon wandering through the historic heart of Monnickendam, which is clustered with merchant homes and warehouses dating back to the 17th century. Traditional restaurants and independent stores now occupy many of the buildings, together with galleries dating from its time as an artist’s colony. Old smokehouses and shipbuilding yards can be found in Monnickendam’s harbour.
Dominating Monnickendam’s skyline is the Speeltoren, a beautifully decorated town hall tower. It took on its current appearance in the 16th century and boasts the oldest hand-playable carillon in the Netherlands. The Speeltoren houses the Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren, which explores the cultural heritage of the region. In addition to exhibits about cheese-making and peat-cutting, it is notable for its large collection of delftware.
Monnickendam’s main house of worship is the Grote Kerk, which was established in the 15th century in a Gothic architectural style. It houses a swallow’s nest organ built by Johann Gerstenhauer and a baptismal font crafted from Bentheim sandstone. While exploring the church, keep an eye out for the 17th-century wooden pews where notable figures such as the mayor once sat.
Getting around Monnickendam
Monnickendam is around a 15-minute drive from the centre of Amsterdam and 25 minutes from Schiphol Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Monnickendam and travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions. The centre of Monnickendam is compact enough to explore on foot.