Travel Guide Edam

This charming village of more than 35,000 inhabitants is internationally renowned for its cheese and for itself. Together with Gouda, it is the Dutch cheese capital. Today, although not all of them come from the region (the country produces 8 million tonnes), they nevertheless deserve the name of edam: all manufacturing processes originate from it. It is in Alkmaar that the ritual weighing of cheeses is carried out. However, when summer comes, the Kaasmarkt returns to its traditional function. Then the costumes come out of the cupboards and the Kaaswaag (the 18th century baroque building that houses weights and measures) is back in service. The city is organized around the Dam, an ancient dyke probably dug in the 12th century.