Edam in Edam-Volendam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Edams Museum

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 27, 2024

1. Edams Museum Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Het Museum is van oorsprong een koopmanshuis uit omstreeks 1550. De stenen voorgevel heet laatgotische details. In een kraagsteentje onder een van de pinakels is het wapen van keizer Karel V te herkennen. Het huis was oorspronkelijk korter, omstreeks 1600 is het naar achteren toe verlengd. Ongeveer 100 jaar later werd de indeling ingrijpend gewijzigd. Toen werd ock de vrij op het grondwater drijvende kelder aan gelegd, waaraan het huis wereldwijd zijn faam ontleent. In 1895 vond een restauratie plaats en werd het huis tot museum ingericht. In 1961/62 volgd een tweede restauratie.

(English translation:)
The Museum is originally a merchant's house from around 1550. The stone facade has late Gothic details. The coat of arms of Emperor Charles V can be recognized in a corbel under one of the pinnacles. The house was originally shorter, around 1600 it was extended to the rear. About 100 years later the layout was drastically changed. At that time the cellar, which floats freely on the groundwater, was also constructed, which gave the house its worldwide fame. In 1895 a restoration took place

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and the house was converted into a museum. A second restoration followed in 1961/62.

Erected by Vereniging Oud Edam, VVV, ANWB.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1550.

Location. 52° 30.759′ N, 5° 2.943′ E. Marker is in Edam, Noord-Holland (North Holland), in Edam-Volendam. It is on Damplein, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Damplein 8, Edam, Noord-Holland 1135 XN, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Damsluis (within shouting distance of this marker); Het Huis met de Zwaan / The House with the Swan (within shouting distance of this marker); Evangelisch-Lutherse Kerk / Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Doopsgezinde Vermaning / Mennonite Meeting House (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Lise Leijser (about 150 meters away); Fanny Kusiel-Gutmann (about 150 meters away); Josef Steinberg (about 150 meters away); Salomon Kaufmann (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edam.

Also see . . . Edam Museum (Edam Museum). Excerpts:

Edam city council purchased the then very neglected building in 1893. The well-known Pierre Cuypers, architect
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 27, 2024

2. Edams Museum and Marker
The marker is visible here on the left side of the building, partly obscured by the little tree.
of Amsterdam Central Station and of the Rijksmuseum, was appointed to lead the restoration. The restoration was completed in 1895, and the building became the first museum in Edam.

A second restoration took place in the 1950s. Carried out this time by the chief architect for the conservation of monuments, Kees Roogaards. The ‘medieval’-looking decorations, including pinnacles on the stepped gable, implemented by Cuypers, were removed and the building was restored to its ’original’ appearance. By the beginning of the 21st century the building was once again in need of restoration, having subsided considerably, and essential underpinning of the foundations was carried out.

The floating cellar is a famous feature of Edam Museum. It is a loose container which floats on the groundwater. Due to ebb and flow of the sea (Edam museum is located on Dam Square, where there used to be a (sea) lock) the Zuiderzee influenced the level of the groundwater level. Because the basement moved with the water, it never flooded. Floating cellars are not unique. Many were to be found in Edam and especially in Amsterdam. However, the floating cellar in Edam Museum is the only one in the Netherlands which is publicly accessible and therefore unique!

There is an amusing legend about this cellar. It is said that one of the owners of the property was captain who had the cellar
Photographed by Fa. V.J. Lipkema, circa 1923

3. Edams Museum
built because he missed the sea so much. The floating cellar enabled him to feel the movement of the water and the noise of the sea whenever he was in the basement.

(Submitted on November 16, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.