The Waag

The Waag in Alkmaar is a building on the Waagplein that has been used as a chapel and weigh house. The Dutch Cheese Museum and the tourist office are now located in the building. The building has a tower with famous horsemen and a beautiful carillon. The building was designated a national monument in 1969. The cheese market is held on Waagplein in the summer.The history of the weigh house goes back to the 14th century. In that period the building was used as the chapel of the adjacent H. Geestgasthuis. In this guest house poor travelers could receive free accommodation for three days and nights; the sick were also cared for by monks or nuns. In 1566 the bishop of Haarlem gave permission to convert the H. Geestgasthuis into a weigh house. In 1582 it was decided to transfer the weigh house to the larger H. Geestkapel, which was no longer used for religious activities.
On the facade of the Waag is the following saying: "SPQA (Senatus Populusque Alcmariensis) RESTITVIT VIRTVS ABLATAE JVRA BILANCIS". This roughly means: "Courage and strength gave the government and citizenry of Alkmaar back the lost risk". Due to the heroic actions of the people of Alkmaar during the relief of 8 October 1573, the clergy gave the Waag back to the citizens of Alkmaar.