Visit to Volendam and find the Attractions at this city
Traditional Costumes
Traditional Costumes The unavoidable accelerated rate at which these once isolated communities joined the rest of the world, had a tremendous impact with inevitable consequences, not least upon the recognize and familiar beautiful traditional costumes. Now, only the older people, and in particular the older women, remain faithful to these characteristic traditional garments. It is feared that these once splendid traditional costumes will slowly disappear. In recognition of this threat, the Organisation for Traditional Clothing Volendam was established in 1954. The organisation’s objective is to maintain as fully and authentically as possible the traditional costumes, and to encourage their wearing. The annual Volendam weekend, fair days during the summer months and the church high feast days are more and more given over as opportunities to don these beautiful costumes.
Buildings and Monuments
The Doolhof Volendam’s current inhabitants enjoy living in beautiful, sturdy stone buildings, of which many a city dweller would be truly envious. Up until the beginning of the 20th century, things were very different. The small wooden houses, a few of which can still be seen in the Doolhof, are an indication of this. The ‘Doolhof’, or maze, derives its name from the fact that none of the buildings were erected according to any kind of discernable organised street plan. A similar impression of organic growth can also be observed in the Dril, along the Havendijkje and in the vicinity of the Meerzijde. This distinctive heart of Volendam, with, in addition, the unique open harbour of the Markermeer, formerly known as the Zuyder Zee, annually attracts many thousands of tourists.
The Reformed Church
The Reformed Church The small Reformed Church, built in 1658 by Adriaan Jan Nieng, miller from Hoorn, is an almost square building, of timber construction, resting on a stone foundation. It has a peaked roof of red tiles, crowned with a small bell tower, and demonstrates many similarities with the traditional Dutch farmhouses of North Holland. This small church was a gift from the states of Holland and West Friesland to the Reformists of Volendam, and was consecrated on 6 October 1658.
The Fish Auction
The Fish Auction The fish auction, largely of timber construction, is a very rare and beautifully kept monument. Commissioned by the Cooperative Auction Association G.A. St. Vincent, it was completed in 1934. The fish auction was built on a rectangular floor plan, and consists of one building layer and an attic. The outer walls are constructed of horizontal and vertical timber tongue-and-groove planking on a smooth plinth, under a gabled roof, covered with Dutch tiles. The building rests on a concrete substructure.
The wooden bell frame
The Wooden Bell Frame The wooden bell frame is a simple bell frame, supporting a wedding bell dating from 1771. Currently the wooden bell frame is located on the harbour.
Association for the Zuyder Zee Culture Volendam VD 172
The Association for the Zuyder Zee Culture Volendam was founded at the beginning of 2003. This organisation exists to maintain the fishing boats VD172 and VD84. These are known as ‘kwaks’, which are traditional, flat-bottomed fishing boats, constructed of oak, and typical of Volendam. Both lie at anchor in the Volendam harbour.
The Association for the Zuyder Zee Culture Volendam has also taken a third ‘kwak’ under its wing, the VD5. The intention is to restore the VD5 in the near future to its former glory and to return it to Volendam.
Volendam Museum
Volendam Museum If you would like to take a peek into the past and cast a glance at how the people of Volendam used to live and work in their small fishing cottages, then a visit to the Volendam Museum is well recommended. Website Volendam Museum.
As a community, Volendam is certainly a lively one, clearly demonstrated by the many active and keenly supported sports, music and singing clubs. Various sports clubs are involved at the highest national level. This is also true for music, be it bands, choirs, or individual singers. Volendam partly owes its recognition far beyond the borders of the Netherlands to these activities.
Palingsound Museum (Eel Sound Museum)
Website Palingsound Museum In the attic of a smoke house on the shores of the IJsselmeer you will find the Paling sound Museum (Eel Sound Museum, so called for the many bands originating from Volendam with a very distinguishable sound). In this museum you can find out everything there is to know about the hundred year history of the Volendam music industry, with bands such as the Cats, Left side, Maribelle, BZN en Jan Smit. The term ‘eel sound’ requires a short explanation: the village of Volendam is not only renowned for its music, but also for its history as a fishing village, eel being an important part of the fishing industry.
Traditional Costumes
Traditional Costumes The unavoidable accelerated rate at which these once isolated communities joined the rest of the world, had a tremendous impact with inevitable consequences, not least upon the recognize and familiar beautiful traditional costumes. Now, only the older people, and in particular the older women, remain faithful to these characteristic traditional garments. It is feared that these once splendid traditional costumes will slowly disappear. In recognition of this threat, the Organisation for Traditional Clothing Volendam was established in 1954. The organisation’s objective is to maintain as fully and authentically as possible the traditional costumes, and to encourage their wearing. The annual Volendam weekend, fair days during the summer months and the church high feast days are more and more given over as opportunities to don these beautiful costumes.Buildings and Monuments
The Doolhof Volendam’s current inhabitants enjoy living in beautiful, sturdy stone buildings, of which many a city dweller would be truly envious. Up until the beginning of the 20th century, things were very different. The small wooden houses, a few of which can still be seen in the Doolhof, are an indication of this. The ‘Doolhof’, or maze, derives its name from the fact that none of the buildings were erected according to any kind of discernable organised street plan. A similar impression of organic growth can also be observed in the Dril, along the Havendijkje and in the vicinity of the Meerzijde. This distinctive heart of Volendam, with, in addition, the unique open harbour of the Markermeer, formerly known as the Zuyder Zee, annually attracts many thousands of tourists.
The Reformed Church
The Reformed Church The small Reformed Church, built in 1658 by Adriaan Jan Nieng, miller from Hoorn, is an almost square building, of timber construction, resting on a stone foundation. It has a peaked roof of red tiles, crowned with a small bell tower, and demonstrates many similarities with the traditional Dutch farmhouses of North Holland. This small church was a gift from the states of Holland and West Friesland to the Reformists of Volendam, and was consecrated on 6 October 1658.
The Fish Auction
The Fish Auction The fish auction, largely of timber construction, is a very rare and beautifully kept monument. Commissioned by the Cooperative Auction Association G.A. St. Vincent, it was completed in 1934. The fish auction was built on a rectangular floor plan, and consists of one building layer and an attic. The outer walls are constructed of horizontal and vertical timber tongue-and-groove planking on a smooth plinth, under a gabled roof, covered with Dutch tiles. The building rests on a concrete substructure.
The wooden bell frame
The Wooden Bell Frame The wooden bell frame is a simple bell frame, supporting a wedding bell dating from 1771. Currently the wooden bell frame is located on the harbour.
Association for the Zuyder Zee Culture Volendam VD 172
The Association for the Zuyder Zee Culture Volendam was founded at the beginning of 2003. This organisation exists to maintain the fishing boats VD172 and VD84. These are known as ‘kwaks’, which are traditional, flat-bottomed fishing boats, constructed of oak, and typical of Volendam. Both lie at anchor in the Volendam harbour.
The Association for the Zuyder Zee Culture Volendam has also taken a third ‘kwak’ under its wing, the VD5. The intention is to restore the VD5 in the near future to its former glory and to return it to Volendam.
Volendam Museum
Volendam Museum If you would like to take a peek into the past and cast a glance at how the people of Volendam used to live and work in their small fishing cottages, then a visit to the Volendam Museum is well recommended. Website Volendam Museum.
As a community, Volendam is certainly a lively one, clearly demonstrated by the many active and keenly supported sports, music and singing clubs. Various sports clubs are involved at the highest national level. This is also true for music, be it bands, choirs, or individual singers. Volendam partly owes its recognition far beyond the borders of the Netherlands to these activities.
Palingsound Museum (Eel Sound Museum)
Website Palingsound Museum In the attic of a smoke house on the shores of the IJsselmeer you will find the Paling sound Museum (Eel Sound Museum, so called for the many bands originating from Volendam with a very distinguishable sound). In this museum you can find out everything there is to know about the hundred year history of the Volendam music industry, with bands such as the Cats, Left side, Maribelle, BZN en Jan Smit. The term ‘eel sound’ requires a short explanation: the village of Volendam is not only renowned for its music, but also for its history as a fishing village, eel being an important part of the fishing industry.
