Volendam is a tourist town in the municipality of Edam-Volendam, province of North Holland, known for its streets, old fishing boats and the traditional clothing worn by some residents.
The women’s costume of Volendam, with its high, pointed bonnet, is one of the most recognizable of the Dutch traditional costumes, and is often featured on tourist postcards and posters. As of 1 January 2021, it has a population of 22,715.
Originally, Volendam was the location of the harbour of nearby city Edam, which was situated at the mouth of the U Bay.
In 1357, the inhabitants of Edam dug a shorter canal to the Zuiderzee with its own separate harbour. This removed the need for the original harbour, which was then dammed and used for land reclamation. Farmers and local fishermen settled there, forming the new community of Vollendam, which translates to ‘Full dam’.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Volendam attracted a diverse community of artists who were captivated by the authentic and picturesque life of the inhabitants of Volendam.
During that era, Hotel Spaander became a central hub for these artists as it provided accommodations, workshops, and a hospitable environment for artists to nurture their craft. The hotel garnered acclaim within the art world, and the presence of foreign artists at Hotel Spaander made a significant contribution to Volendam‘s global renown as their artworks, often influenced by Volendam‘s scenic beauty, further elevated the village’s profile and celebrated its unique culture.
Interestingly, the majority of the population traditionally belongs to the Roman Catholic Church , which is deeply connected to the village culture. Historically, many missionaries and bishops grew up in Volendam. Today there is the chapel of Our Lady of the Water, which is located in a village park.
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