WHEN THEN WAS NOW — DUTCH HISTORY CLOSE TO HOME
Historical Alkmaar
Walk through a living Dutch city of canals, courtyards, cheese, trade and the siege of 1573 — with stories from the place I call home.
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Alkmaar is known internationally for its cheese market, but the city is much more than one Friday-morning tradition.
Its streets carry stories of medieval trade, the Dutch Revolt, 1573, religion, water, everyday life and the changes that shaped the Netherlands.
A city best understood by walking slowly
In 1573 Alkmaar resisted a Spanish siege, an event remembered in the phrase “Van Alkmaar de Victorie”. The story is still visible in the shape of the old city and in the places where Alkmaarders lived, worked and defended their home.
The Golden Age brought trade and prosperity, while canals, courtyards, churches and warehouses preserve many layers of local history.
Because I live here and have written about Alkmaar, the walk can move easily between the famous sights and the smaller stories that normally pass unnoticed.
Three Alkmaars in one walk
1573 and the Siege
Use the old city as a map of the siege and discover why the events of 1573 became part of Alkmaar’s identity.
Cheese, trade and the old city
Explore the Waagplein, canals and trading streets and understand how commerce shaped the city people see today.
The quieter Alkmaar
Step away from the busiest route into courtyards, residential streets and small details that reveal how people actually lived.
RESEARCHED, WRITTEN AND LIVED HERE
Alkmaar is also part of my own work
I was one of the makers of De Alkmaarsche Scheurkalender 2023, created for 450 years of Alkmaar Ontzet, and I have also published about the city in Om Alkmaar.
That research means the walk can move beyond dates and monuments into ordinary life: what people ate, where they worked, what they feared and how the city changed.
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“Martin was so familiar with the area and expertly familiar with the history. It is easy to converse with Martin and we quickly became comfortable with him.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Alkmaar works equally well as a short city visit or as part of a longer North Holland day.
When can I see the cheese market?
The traditional cheese market is seasonal and usually associated with Fridays. Because schedules can change, we should confirm the current calendar when you plan your visit.
Is Alkmaar worth visiting outside cheese-market hours?
Yes. The historical centre, canals, courtyards and 1573 story are there all year and are often easier to explore when the square is less crowded.
How long is the historical walk?
The existing Alkmaar walk is designed around roughly three hours, but a private visit can be shorter or longer.
Can Alkmaar be combined with the countryside?
Yes. North Holland offers villages, polders, windmills and seasonal flower fields, making it easy to create a full private day.
Is the 1573 story suitable if I know little Dutch history?
Yes. I can explain the wider Dutch Revolt as we go, so the local events make sense without prior knowledge.
See Alkmaar as a place with layers
Tell me whether you are coming for 1573, cheese, Dutch history or simply a good walk through the city, and I will shape the route around you.