Spaarndam in Spaarndam Gem. Haarlem in Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Palingrokerij Balm en palinghandel
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Balm Eel Smokehouse and Eel Trading
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
1. Palingrokerij Balm en palinghandel / Balm Eel Smokehouse and Eel Trading Marker
U bevindt zich thans op de Taanplaats. Met het tanen van netten en zeilen van (vissers-) schepen werden deze materialen beschermd tegen verrotting door schimmels en bacteriën. De Visserij en vishandel zijn eeuwenlang een belangrijke bron van inkomsten geweest in Spaarndam. Deze waren aanvankelijk geconcentreerd op het Visserseinde nabij de Haarlemmersluis en later bij de haven van Spaarndam. De familie Balm rookte vanaf 1832 paling op het Visserseinde en verplaatste deze activiteit in de twintiger jaren van de vorige eeuw naar de Taanplaats. Op de plek van de palingrokerij staan nu tegenover u sinds 2000 twee nieuwbouwwoningen.
Sinds de verhuizing heeft men zich toegelegd op het roken van paling volgens een over generaties heen goed bewaard uniek rookproces. 'Balm's paling' verwierf tot in de wijde omgeving bekendheid. De rokerij betrok zijn paling onder anderen van de firma's Kok en Kuijten, twee Spaarndamse bedrijven in de palinghandel.
Zij waren de grootste palingtransporteurs van Europa die met vrachtwagens en zeeschepen levende paling vervoerden vanuit Scandinavië
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Boven de toegang naar het 'palingvlot' met zwart geteerde palingkaren aan uw linkerzijde ziet u een Zaans Molenrijm 'Eerst komt het leven, dan de strijd, daarna de dood en men is alles kwijt'. Deze is aangebracht door S.W. Balm (1887-1960) en stond symbool voor de heersende realiteitszin binnen het bedrijf. De roemrijkepalingrokerij van Balm moest in 1997 onder andere vanwege milieubezwaren de deuren sluiten.
Balm Eel Smokehouse and Eel Trading
You are currently at the Taanplaats. The process of 'tanning'—treating the nets and sails of (fishing) vessels—protected these materials against rot caused by fungi and bacteria. For centuries, fishing and the fish trade were major sources of income in Spaarndam. Initially, these activities were concentrated at the Visserseinde near the Haarlemmersluis, and later at the Spaarndam harbor. The Balm family smoked eel at the Visserseinde starting in 1832, later relocating the operation to the Taanplaats in the 1920s. Two new homes, built in 2000, now stand on the site where the eel smokehouse once operated.
Since
Photographed by Fotopersbureau de Boer (courtesy Noord Hollands Archief, Inventaris 5998), 1984
2. Siem Balm Eel Smokehouse, Taanplaats 16, Spaarndam
The eels are being moved from the holding tanks in the Noorder Buiten Spaarne to the Balm eel smokehouse. (Note that this is the same photo as on the marker)
They were Europe's largest eel transporters, using trucks and seagoing vessels to ship live eel from Scandinavia and the Mediterranean region to Spaarndam.
Above the entrance to the 'eel raft'—featuring black-tarred eel holding tanks on your left—you will see a traditional Zaan windmill rhyme: "First comes life, then the struggle, then death, and all is lost." This inscription was placed there by S.W. Balm (1887–1960) and symbolized the company's pragmatic, realistic mindset. Balm's celebrated eel smokehouse was forced to close its doors in 1997, partly due to environmental concerns.
Erected 2026 by Gemeente Haarlem.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 52° 24.807′ N, 4° 40.705′ E. Marker is in Spaarndam
Photographed by P.J. Relleke (courtesy Noord-Hollands Archief, Inventaris 28991), 1976
3. Balm company’s wharf
Taanplaats, the Balm company's wharf, viewed from the north. On the right of the photo is the De Rietpol yacht yard. Of note is the cheerful couplet mentioned on the marker which reads (in translation): "First comes life, then the struggle, then death, and all is lost."
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 Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Woerdersluis / Woerder Sluice (a few steps from this marker); Het haarlemse huis / The Haarlem House (within shouting distance of this marker); Spaarndam (within shouting distance of this marker); Hulpsecretarie / Municipal Branch Office (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); De Grote Haarlemmersluis / The Grote Haarlemmersluis (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnland House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Het Rijnlandshuis / The Rijnlandshuis
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 31, 2026
4. View of water from marker location
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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