{"id":218,"date":"2026-10-07T07:11:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T07:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/?page_id=218"},"modified":"2026-10-10T12:47:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T12:47:50","slug":"alkmaar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/alkmaar\/","title":{"rendered":"Alkmaar"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--\nWHEN THEN WAS NOW \u2014 ALKMAAR v1\nNew specialist landing page for \/alkmaar\/.\nBuilt in the same visual system as the Market Garden landing page and the existing Battlefield \/ Remembrance \/ Dutch Heritage pages.\nUses only media already present in the WordPress library.\n-->\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-page is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b4d04ffe wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n\n<style>\nbody:has(.wtwn-alk-page) {\n --wtwn-gutter:clamp(24px,7.2917vw,140px);--wtwn-content-max:1640px;--wtwn-gap:32px;\n 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summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none} .wtwn-alk-faq summary::after{content:\"+\";position:absolute;right:0;top:0}\n.wtwn-alk-faq details[open] summary::after{content:\"\u2212\"} .wtwn-alk-faq details p{margin:14px 0 0!important;color:#fff;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5}\n\n.wtwn-alk-cta{background:var(--wtwn-paper);color:var(--wtwn-navy);padding:24px 0 28px}\n.wtwn-alk-cta-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,8fr) minmax(0,4fr);gap:var(--wtwn-gap);align-items:center}\n.wtwn-alk-cta h2{margin:0 0 10px;font-size:30px;font-weight:400;line-height:1.12} .wtwn-alk-cta p{margin:0!important;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5}\n.wtwn-alk-cta .wp-block-buttons{justify-content:flex-end}\n\n@media(max-width:1024px){\n body:has(.wtwn-alk-page){--wtwn-gutter:48px;--wtwn-gap:24px}\n .wtwn-alk-route-grid,.wtwn-alk-options-grid,.wtwn-alk-related-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}\n .wtwn-alk-route-card:last-child,.wtwn-alk-option-card:last-child,.wtwn-alk-related-card:last-child{grid-column:1\/-1}\n .wtwn-alk-personal-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}\n}\n@media(max-width:782px){\n body:has(.wtwn-alk-page){--wtwn-gutter:20px;--wtwn-gap:20px}\n .wtwn-alk-hero{min-height:450px;background-position:58% 50%}\n .wtwn-alk-hero-inner{padding-top:145px;padding-bottom:55px}\n .wtwn-alk-hero h1{font-size:39px} .wtwn-alk-hero p:not(.wtwn-alk-eyebrow){font-size:20px}\n .wtwn-alk-overview{background-position:right center;background-size:auto 100%} .wtwn-alk-overview::after{background:rgba(255,255,255,.88)} .wtwn-alk-overview-copy{width:100%;max-width:none}\n .wtwn-alk-route-grid,.wtwn-alk-options-grid,.wtwn-alk-personal-grid,.wtwn-alk-related-grid,.wtwn-alk-faq-grid,.wtwn-alk-cta-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr!important}\n .wtwn-alk-route-card:last-child,.wtwn-alk-option-card:last-child,.wtwn-alk-related-card:last-child{grid-column:auto}\n .wtwn-alk-route-card h3,.wtwn-alk-option-card h3{min-height:0}\n .wtwn-alk-cta .wp-block-buttons{justify-content:flex-start;margin-top:20px!important}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-hero is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner wtwn-alk-hero-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-hero-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wtwn-alk-eyebrow wp-block-paragraph\">WHEN THEN WAS NOW \u2014 DUTCH HISTORY CLOSE TO HOME<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical Alkmaar<\/h1>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walk through a living Dutch city of canals, courtyards, cheese, trade and the siege of 1573 \u2014 with stories from the place I call home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-intro is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-intro-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wtwn-alk-intro-mark wp-block-paragraph\">_______<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alkmaar is known internationally for its cheese market, but the city is much more than one Friday-morning tradition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its streets carry stories of medieval trade, the Dutch Revolt, 1573, religion, water, everyday life and the changes that shaped the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-overview is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner wtwn-alk-overview-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-overview-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A city best understood by walking slowly<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1573 Alkmaar resisted a Spanish siege, an event remembered in the phrase \u201cVan Alkmaar de Victorie\u201d. The story is still visible in the shape of the old city and in the places where Alkmaarders lived, worked and defended their home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Golden Age brought trade and prosperity, while canals, courtyards, churches and warehouses preserve many layers of local history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-route is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three Alkmaars in one walk<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-grid wtwn-alk-route-grid is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-route-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/castle-background.webp\" alt=\"Historic architecture evoking early modern Dutch history\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-route-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1573 and the Siege<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use the old city as a map of the siege and discover why the events of 1573 became part of Alkmaar&#8217;s identity.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-route-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/alkmaar-cheese-market.webp\" alt=\"Traditional cheese market in Alkmaar\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-route-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cheese, trade and the old city<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Explore the Waagplein, canals and trading streets and understand how commerce shaped the city people see today.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-route-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/bike-amsterdam-flowers.webp\" alt=\"Dutch street scene with bicycle and flowers\"\/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-route-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The quieter Alkmaar<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Step away from the busiest route into courtyards, residential streets and small details that reveal how people actually lived.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-options is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wtwn-alk-options-title\">Visit Alkmaar your way<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-grid wtwn-alk-options-grid is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-option-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-option-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical city walk<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A private walk through the centre built around the city&#8217;s history rather than a checklist of sights.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Around three hours<\/li><li>Private walk<\/li><li>Station pick-up possible<\/li><li>Flexible interests<\/li><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/contact\/\">Plan a walk<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-option-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-option-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alkmaar and 1573<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go deeper into the siege, the Dutch Revolt and the people of the city. This is a subject I have researched and published about.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Siege locations<\/li><li>Local stories<\/li><li>Then-and-now context<\/li><li>Suitable for history groups<\/li><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/contact\/\">Tell me your interests<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-option-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-option-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alkmaar and North Holland<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combine the city with the landscape north of Amsterdam: polders, villages, windmills or seasonal flower fields.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Private day<\/li><li>City and countryside<\/li><li>Avoid the obvious tourist route<\/li><li>Custom transport<\/li><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/dutch-heritage\/\">Explore Dutch Heritage<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-personal is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner wtwn-alk-grid wtwn-alk-personal-grid is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-personal-media is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/alkmaarsche-scheurkalender-2023.webp\" alt=\"De Alkmaarsche Scheurkalender 2023\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-personal-copy is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wtwn-alk-eyebrow wp-block-paragraph\">RESEARCHED, WRITTEN AND LIVED HERE<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alkmaar is also part of my own work<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 <em>Om Alkmaar<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/about-martin\/\">Read more about Martin<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-review is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner wtwn-alk-review-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wtwn-alk-review-mark wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<\/p>\n<p class=\"wtwn-alk-review-text wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMartin 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wtwn-alk-review-author wp-block-paragraph\">Guest review \u2014 United States<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-related is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explore more Dutch history<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-grid wtwn-alk-related-grid is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-related-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dutch Heritage<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See private journeys through the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"\/dutch-heritage\/\">Explore Dutch Heritage \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-related-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Martin<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read about the research, books and historical storytelling behind the journeys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"\/about-martin\/\">About Martin \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-related-card is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Family History<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use Dutch places, archives and local history to follow your own family story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"\/family-history\/\">Explore Family History \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner wtwn-alk-grid wtwn-alk-faq-grid is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-faq-left is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alkmaar works equally well as a short city visit or as part of a longer North Holland day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-faq-list is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>When can I see the cheese market?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is Alkmaar worth visiting outside cheese-market hours?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long is the historical walk?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The existing Alkmaar walk is designed around roughly three hours, but a private visit can be shorter or longer.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can Alkmaar be combined with the countryside?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. North Holland offers villages, polders, windmills and seasonal flower fields, making it easy to create a full private day.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is the 1573 story suitable if I know little Dutch history?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. I can explain the wider Dutch Revolt as we go, so the local events make sense without prior knowledge.<\/p><\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull wtwn-alk-cta is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wtwn-alk-inner wtwn-alk-grid wtwn-alk-cta-grid is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See Alkmaar as a place with layers<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><!-- wp:button{ className=\"wtwn-alk-dark-button\"} --><div class=\"wp-block-button wtwn-alk-dark-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/contact\/\">Plan your Alkmaar visit<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/wp:post-content -->\n<!-- schema update -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WHEN THEN WAS NOW \u2014 DUTCH HISTORY CLOSE TO HOME Historical Alkmaar Walk through a living Dutch city of canals, courtyards, cheese, trade and the siege of 1573 \u2014 with stories from the place I call home. _______ Alkmaar is known internationally for its cheese market, but the city is much more than one Friday-morning [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-218","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=218"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290,"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/218\/revisions\/290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whenthenwasnow.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}