The town hall

The imposing town hall is a model of the large, prosperous city that Enkhuizen was in the Golden Age. It was built in 1686/1688 and bears a striking resemblance to the Palace on Dam Square, which was Amsterdam’s city hall at the time. At the time, the administrators not only wanted a new town hall, but also a status symbol. Steven Vennekool from Amsterdam was given the honor of making a design. His father, Jacob Vennekool, was a student of Jacob van Campen, who in turn was the master builder of the palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam, perhaps the most prestigious city hall in the Netherlands. At the time of construction, Enkhuizen had already passed its economic heyday, but nevertheless ventured into this prestigious project. On the first floor are the Witte or Burgerzaal, the council chamber with velvet d’Utrecht, the mayor’s chamber with the painted representations of Romeijn de Hooge, the wedding hall and the Orphanage chamber with the gobelins. The interior is largely authentic and features rich paintwork. The study rooms are still in use and the historic Alderman’s Room is a popular wedding location. There are regular exhibitions on the ground floor in the Blauwe Zaal. The bronze cannon on the pavement is a war trophy captured from Dunkirk privateers. Opening: The Blue Hall can be visited during the opening hours of the town hall: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Heritage Day you can also admire the rooms on the first floor, highly recommended!