Edam, Netherlands: Difference between revisions

Edam is a city in the Dutch province Noord-Holland. Combined with [[Volendam]] Edam forms the municipality Edam-Volendam. Approximately 7380 people live in Edam. The whole municipality Edam-Volendam counts 28.492 inhabitants. The name edam originates from the little river E or IJe whereby the first settlement was located and was also called IJedam.

The city of Edam was founded around a dam crossing the river E or IJe close by the Zuiderzee now known as the IJsselmeer. Around 1230 the channel was dammed. At the dam the goods had to be overloaded onto other vessels and the inhabitants of Edam could levy toll. That’s why Edam could grow as a trade town. Shipbuilding and fishery brought Edam more wealth.

Count Willem V of Holland gave Edam it’s city rights in 1357. One of the reasons he did this was because of the war between the Hoeken and the Kabeljauwen. They fought a battle for the rule over the cities of Holland.

Thanks to the city rights the people of Edam could make a new harbor. Because of the harbor the city was now connected with the big cities in Holland and the international trading routes. Also they got the right to have a market three times every year. All together a big boost for the local economy.

The old city centre within the bourders of the old city walls is nowadays protected by the government.