Waag (Weighing House)

The Waag in Hoorn is the weigh house of the town, a handsome building that stands near the Roode Steen, the main square of the old centre. It was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century, in 1609, to the design of the architect Hendrick de Keyser, one of the leading builders of the Dutch Golden Age, who also worked on churches and town halls in Amsterdam and other towns. The Waag is in the Dutch Renaissance style, with a facade of brick and stone, a stepped gable, large windows and a shield carrying the arms of Hoorn, which show three hunting horns.

The purpose of a weigh house was to guarantee fair trade. In a port town such as Hoorn, large quantities of goods passed through, among them butter, cheese, cattle, ship's cargo and goods from the colonial trade, and merchants and the town authorities wanted the quantities to be checked by an independent public scale. A fee was charged for the service, which gave the town a useful income. The town of Hoorn was at that time one of the chief ports of the Dutch Republic, with a chamber of the Dutch East India Company, and the weigh house was a busy place where scales, weights and clerks handled the business of commerce. Its large hall and sturdy structure were designed for heavy loads.

In later centuries, as trade patterns changed, the building was used for other purposes, as many weigh houses were, and it has been used for exhibitions, events and local functions. The details of how the interior is used today vary, and the building may not always be open to the public, so check for activities or exhibitions before a visit. The exterior is the main interest for most visitors, and it is easy to admire from the square. Looking at the facade, one can see the quality of the brickwork, the curving gable and the way the building was designed to impress.

The Waag stands among other fine buildings. The Roode Steen has the statue of Jan Pieterszoon Coen, the Westfries Museum with its elaborate facade and a number of historic houses and cafes. The harbour, with the Hoofdtoren tower, and the quiet Oostereiland district are a short walk away, and the town's old quays are pleasant for strolling. Hoorn is also the start of a steam railway line.

The Waag suits history and architecture lovers and photographers. A look takes a few minutes, though combined with the square and the museum it can fill an afternoon. Hoorn is reached by train from Amsterdam and Alkmaar.