Enkhuizen, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Waaggebouw
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Weighing House
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 2026
1. Waaggebouw / Weighing House Marker
Gebouwd in 1557-1559 als weegplaats voor handelswaar. In de gevels prijken de wapens van Enkhuizen, West-Friesland en Philips II. Op de kroonlijst beelden van Gerechtigheid, Hoop, Geloof, Liefde en Kracht. Vanaf 1636 diende de bovenverdieping als vergader- en collegezaal van het chirurgijnsgilde. Boven de ingang herinnert een steen uit 1928 aan de geneesheer dr. Bernhardus Paludanus. Sinds het midden van de 19de eeuw in gebruik als Stadstekenschool, de voorloper van het technisch onderwijs, politiebureau, VVV-kantoor en, van 1974 tot 1996, als museum.
Weighing House
Built between 1557 and 1559 as a weighing house for merchandise. The coats of arms of Enkhuizen, West Friesland, and Philip II adorn the facades. Statues representing Justice, Hope, Faith, Charity, and Strength stand on the cornice. From 1636, the upper floor served as a meeting and lecture hall for the surgeons' guild. Above the entrance, a stone plaque from 1928 commemorates the physician Dr. Bernhardus Paludanus. Since the mid-19th century, the building has housed the Municipal Drawing School—a precursor
this page online
Erected by the ANWB, Gemeente Enkhuizen. (Marker Number 17062/021.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1636.
Location. 52° 42.299′ N, 5° 17.616′ E. Marker is in Enkhuizen, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is at the intersection of Kaasmarkt and Waagstraat, on the left when traveling north on Kaasmarkt. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Kaasmarkt 8, Enkhuizen, Noord-Holland 1601 NC, 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 Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stadhuis / Town Hall (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Gevangenis / Prison (about 150 meters away); St. Pancras- of Zuidertoren / St. Pancras- or Southern Tower
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein
2. Waaggebouw / Weighing House and marker
The marker is visible here to the right of the door.
Also see . . . The ‘Waag’ – information for visitors. (Vereniging Oud Enkhuizen). The QR code on the marker leads to this page (after choosing “English”). Excerpt:
The Enkhuizen weighing house dates from 1559. It is one of the few examples of the early Renaissance in the northern Netherlands. The frieze at the foot of both gables bears the coats of arms of Holland, Philip II (the 80 Years War had not yet started) and Enkhuizen. On the cornice are five statues, representing from left to right: justice, hope, faith, love and strength. The large wooden doors in the Waagstraat provide access to the weighing room, which is still completely intact. The weighing mechanism is present and can still function.(Submitted on September 20, 2026.)
The purposeof a weighing house was twofold, to weigh goods so that the buyer paid a fair price, and to generate revenue in the form of taxes for the city. All products coming into the city therefore had to be weighed. An important product was cheese. Only in Enkhuizen were the cheese berries carried by women, there were many fatherless families due to shipping. …Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 20263. Memorial plaque for Dr. Bernhardus Paludanus (mentioned on the marker)
Photographed by J.W. de Graaf, Enkhuizen, circa 1905
4. Waaggebouw / Weighing House
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
