Purmerend Between Market Traditions and Ceramic Culture

Purmerend’s market tradition dates back to the 16th century, while the Purmerends Museum explores the city’s history and its ceramic heritage. The Beemster has its own distinct features: a systematically planned polder landscape, characteristic farmhouses and a rich heritage. You can shape your trip around the interests that appeal to you most—from local history and market life to landscapes, architecture and fort history.

Weekly Market, Fair and City History

Purmerend’s weekly market has been held on Tuesdays since 1572. There are five general weekly markets in Purmerend, plus another in Middenbeemster. A range of themed markets adds to the selection. Days and opening hours may change, so check the latest details before your visit.

Twice a year, the city center becomes a fairground: the spring fair takes place in May and the late-summer fair in October. Each event features dozens of rides. As dates and programs may vary, it is worth checking the latest information if you are planning your trip around a fair.

Koemarkt also tells the story of Purmerend’s past. Its name recalls the cattle markets held here for centuries, which were important to the city’s growth and trade. Today, the square is primarily a place to meet. Cafés, restaurants and terraces offer a chance to experience city life over food and drinks; businesses and programs may change.

Ceramics and the History of Purmerend

The Purmerends Museum is known for its extensive collection of Purmerend Art Nouveau ceramics. Four ceramics factories operated in Purmerend between 1895 and 1907. The collection also presents the city’s history as a fishing and market town: topics include regional fishing, cattle trading and the timber trade.

The permanent exhibition spans Purmerend’s earliest beginnings in the 14th century through to the present and near future. A dedicated section focuses on the city as a regional marketplace. By exploring the ceramics collection alongside the broader history of the city, visitors encounter both a distinctive craft and the economic activities that shaped Purmerend.

The Beemster: Polder Landscape and Architecture

Droogmakerij de Beemster has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, recognized for its unique plot layout and as an exceptional man-made architectural ensemble and landscape. Fields, roads, canals, dikes and settlements form an orderly landscape laid out according to classical and Renaissance planning principles. When walking in and around the Beemster, you can see the 1612 layout, the ring dike, straight roads, rows of trees and distinctive Stolpboerderijen.

The Beemster Fortenfietsroute starts in Middenbeemster, passes Stolpboerderijen and ends at Fort aan de Nekkerweg. Route details may change, so it is best to check them before setting out. Natuurmonumenten has established a nature trail around Fort bij Spijkerboor; local access conditions may vary.

Fort Benoorden Purmerend was built to defend the Beemster ring dike, Purmerenderweg and Rijperweg. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Stelling van Amsterdam and is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Droogmakerij de Beemster. Its historic purpose and links to both World Heritage Sites make it a distinct subject in the region’s fort history.

Museums, Church and Visitor Center

The Beemster Museum is housed in Westerhem, a traditional North Holland Stolpboerderij. In this type of farmhouse, the stable, threshing floor and living quarters are arranged around the haystack. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. The Keyserkerk is considered the oldest building in the Beemster. When the Keyserklim is open seasonally, you can book a climb to the gallery, 32 meters above the ground, where panoramic views of the polder landscape await. An audio tour is included. Check available dates before planning your visit.

In the World Heritage Hall at Bezoekerscentrum Beemster, various media explain why and how Lake Beemster was drained. The center also includes a traditionally laid-out farmhouse garden, an orchard with various old standard-fruit-tree varieties and a Brongas installation. The small shop sells items including cycling and hiking maps or routes, postcards and books.

Regional Produce and Seasonal Activities

Beemster streekproducten are food products grown and harvested in the Beemster and sold in the surrounding area. The municipality brings farmers, food-service businesses, residents and visitors together around these products. Together with Bureau Toerisme Laag Holland, it organizes activities and events that feature regional foods. The selection may vary by season and year.

When making your choice, you can weigh up the different attractions: Purmerend’s weekly market, ceramics and city history on the one hand, and the Beemster’s polder landscape, farmhouse architecture and fort history on the other. This lets you plan your stay around the subjects that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Purmerend, Uithoorn, Wieringen, Den Helder, Zijpe, Alkmaar, Weesp, Haarlemmerliede En Spaarnwoude.

For the full travel overview: North Holland.