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The Netherlands-Enkhuizen-harbor. Author Unknown on

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Enkhuizen

Enkhuizen is a little municipality and city that is located in the  Netherlands. It is in the province of North Holland and the region of West Frisia.

This town is one of the most visited by thousands of visitors and tourists every year. Enkhuizen is loved more because of the beautiful surroundings and interesting things to learn here.

The numerous historic buildings, monuments, harbour and perfect water sports opportunities usually attract several other tourists. The history of Enkhuizen is an amazing one as it was a major centre for overseas trade between Netherlands and East Indies.

Enkhuizen received the rights to become a city in 1355 making it one of the oldest in the Netherlands. This city was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands surpassing Amsterdam.

However, Enkhuizen lost its position to Amsterdam for several reasons that saw the silting up of the harbours. Tourists usually get into Enkhuizen through the ports, road, air or rail as they venture into their adventure.

Here are the top 10 Interesting Facts about Enkhuizen:

1. Enkhuizen is Among the Oldest Cities in the Netherlands

Enkhuizen – Pakhuizen – View SSE. Photo by Txllxt TxllxT on

The history of Enkhuizen goes way back to the early 1300s when it was established. The harbours and the natural environment that was suitable for expansion and more activities gave Enkhuizen an additional advantage to develop.

In 1355, Enkhuizen was given the right to become a city after its rapid growth. During this period, the town was inhabited by several people. The numbers were more than the current population.

2. The City had a Defence Gateway Building that is Among the Oldest

Enkhuizen – Pakhuizen – View North. Photo by Txllxt TxllxT on

Being among the oldest cities in the Netherlands with beautiful harbours, Enkhuizen attracted several administrators and strong emperors. This prompted the administrators to invest in protecting their city.

The Drommedaris was erected on the southern gateway of the Netherlands. This building was the defensive shield for Enkhuizen from any threats.
It is located at the entrance of the Old Harbour. Drommedaris contains an artillery cellar and room on the ground floor.

All the rooms contained cannon holes along the holes. These holes contain cannons which were used to protect the harbours from any invasion.

3. The Drommedaris in Enkhuizen was Bombed during World War Two

During the intense World War Two, several properties were destroyed in and around the Netherlands. The Drommedaris which was built as a protective gateway of Enkhuizen was not spared too.

Towards the end of World War Two, the city was seriously affected by the war. There was a bombing raid against the German boats that were around Drommedaris.

One of the bomb attacks missed the bombs and hit the gate of the city. The fragments of the bomb caused the damage which was later on renovated.

4. The Zuiderzee Museum is the Historic Centre of Enkhuizen

There are several historic monuments in Enkhuizen, but there is a more important one. The Zuiderzee Museum which is located on Wierdijk is referred to as the historic centre of Enkhuizen.

This museum is devoted to preserving the cultural heritage and maritime of the Dutch from the old Zuiderzee region. The history of the museum dates to when there was the Southern Sea Fishing Exhibition.

There were displayed cardboard houses and costumed locals from around Zuiderzee. A museum was on the plans of the administrators but the threat of a rising put these plans on hold.

More exhibitions were made here. This was later converted into a museum that came to become a historic centre.

5. This City is Home to Several Seed Production Companies

Enkhuizen is usually known for its tourist attraction and other sporting activities. However, this city is also important for commercial purposes.

Several seed production companies are located in Enkhuizen. Enza Zaden, Syngenta and Monsanto companies which are famous worldwide are located in Enkhuizen. Other than these popular seed companies, there are also plastics factories in Enkhuizen.

6. First Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in this City

Enkhuizen – Zuiderkerkstraat – View South. Photo by Txllxt TxllxT on

There are several notable old buildings in Enkhuizen. Among them is the Evangelical Lutheran Church building on Breedstraat 40.

This is a former church building of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of Netherlands. It was founded by the family of Danish Lutheran merchant Frederik Dirxen van Tatinghof.

The founders had come to Enkhuizen to trade in oxen where the congregation was allowed to gather in 1641. In the 1800s, the congregation moved to this building which was dedicated in 1843.

7. St Francis Xavier Church is One of the Oldest Building in Enkhuizen

Enkhuizen – Koepoort. Photo by Txllxt TxllxT on

Other than the Evangelical Lutheran Church building, there is also another notable building in Enkhuizen. The St Francis Xavier Church is another notable and oldest building in this city.

This is a Roman Catholic Â鶹APPh church which was founded and is being run by the Society of Jesus. It was built in 1905 on the site of a clandestine church.

8. Children Enjoy the Sprookjes Wonderland in Enkhuizen

Tourists both young and old usually get the opportunity to enjoy their travel to Enkhuizen to the fullest. There are several amusing and fun activities for all visitors to this brilliant city.

Children usually enjoy their visit to the Sprookjes wonderland. This is a theme park based on fairy tales located at the northern border of Enkhuizen.

The historic carousel, miniature trains and the fairy tale forest make this amusement park a popular place for children. Children can also enjoy several water activities in Enkhuizen.

9. The Bottle Ships Museum is Located in Enkhuizen

There are more historical museums other than the Zuiderzee Museum which is the centre of Dutch history. The Flessenscgeepsjes museum is one of the other great museums in Enkhuizen.

This is known as the bottle ships museum. It is the world’s museum with the largest collection of rigged sailing ships in bottles.

There are armadas of more than one thousand old and modern ships from all over the world. This collection is kept under one house.

10. There’s a Special Monument where Goods were Weighed and Taxed

Sailing ship on Enkhuizen waters. Photo by W. Bulach on

Being a centre for overseas trade, Enkhuizen has a special monument which was so special. The Waag that was built in 1559 is a special building where goods were weighed and taxed.

Original scales from the weigh hall, doctors’ and surgeon’s room, meeting room and lecture hall are located here. This monumental building is also one of the most attractive buildings.

Enkhuizen is one of the special places in the Netherlands that is worth visiting, spending a holiday and enjoying with family.