The Netherlands - Alkmaar
6
Volendam – Village of Fishermen, Football Players and Singers
July 10, 2016
On a beautiful sunny Sunday in July, we decide to make a trip to Volendam. The village is about an hour
drive by car from our house. Other ways to come there is or by bus or by touring car, there is no railway
station in Volendam.
The village has only 22.000 inhabitants but it is very dynamic and loved by tourists. This Sunday too, we
heard all kind of languages ranging from Chinese, Russian, Japanese, German etc. The dike around the
harbor is where it all happens. There are the gift shops, places where you can be photographed in
traditional costumes and restaurants where you can eat of course all kind of fish.
The village of Volendam is founded in 1357 due to the fact that the village of Edam needed a new
dike/harbor to protect itself against the influences of the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer). On this new built dike
Volendam was built. There lived farmers and fishermen, who fished on the Zuiderzee/IJsselmeer. The village
is quiet different from the other surrounding towns and villages. The inhabitants speak their own language
and are mostly Roman Catholic instead of Protestant.
The villagers have two passions for which they are famous, first playing football at their local football club
called FC Volendam which has brought forth many football legends (e.g. Gerrie and Arnold Mühren, Theo
Zwarthoed and Wim Jonk).
Secondly singing, the village has so many singers and artists (e.g. Jan Smit, BZN, The Cats and Nick & Simon
and many others) that the music composed by all these artists is called the Paling sound (Eel sound referring
to the former fishing history).
After a walk over the dike, visiting some shops and eating fish and chips, we headed home and we had to
conclude that it had been a perfect day.
Tip: Get a photo of yourself in a traditional costume!
Volendam- The Netherlands
Hotel tip Volendam:
During our stay, we slept two nights in the Hotel Restaurant Old Dutch, with a nice
view on the harbor and the IJsselmeer (lake). The address is Haven 142, which is
located on the “Dijk” of Volendam. There is also a terrace, this gives the possibility to
dine al fresco when the weather permits.
If you are interested in this or another hotel in Volendam, please check here for the
availability and best offers.
Volendam – Village of Fishermen, Football
Players and Singers
July 10, 2016
On a beautiful sunny Sunday in July, we decide
to make a trip to Volendam. The village is about
an hour drive by car from our house. Other
ways to come there is or by bus or by touring
car, there is no railway station in Volendam.
The village has only 22.000 inhabitants but it is
very dynamic and loved by tourists. This Sunday
too, we heard all kind of languages ranging
from Chinese, Russian, Japanese, German etc.
The dike around the harbor is where it all
happens. There are the gift shops, places where
you can be photographed in traditional
costumes and restaurants where you can eat of
course all kind of fish.
The village of Volendam is founded in 1357 due
to the fact that the village of Edam needed a
new dike/harbor to protect itself against the
influences of the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer). On
this new built dike Volendam was built. There
lived farmers and fishermen, who fished on the
Zuiderzee/IJsselmeer. The village is quiet
different from the other surrounding towns and
villages. The inhabitants speak their own
language and are mostly Roman Catholic
instead of Protestant.
The villagers have two passions for which they
are famous, first playing football at their local
football club called FC Volendam which has
brought forth many football legends (e.g. Gerrie
and Arnold Mühren, Theo Zwarthoed and Wim
Jonk).
Secondly singing, the village has so many
singers and artists (e.g. Jan Smit, BZN, The Cats
and Nick & Simon and many others) that the
music composed by all these artists is called the
Paling sound (Eel sound referring to the former
fishing history).
After a walk over the dike, visiting some shops
and eating fish and chips, we headed home and
we had to conclude that it had been a perfect
day.
Get a photo of yourself in a
traditional costume!
Hotel tip Volendam:
During our stay, we slept two nights in the Hotel
Restaurant Old Dutch, with a nice view on the
harbor and the IJsselmeer (lake). The address is
Haven 142, which is located on the “Dijk” of
Volendam. There is also a terrace, this gives the
possibility to dine al fresco when the weather
permits.
If you are interested in this or another hotel in
Volendam, please check here for the availability and
best offers.
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