Vismarkt (Fish Market)
When you say Purmerend, you will most likely think of the Koemarkt and the cattle trade. However, until about 1880 Purmerend was mainly known for fishing and the sale of Purmer eel.
At that time, Purmerend was located between the not yet reclaimed Beemster, Purmer and Wormer lakes.
The eel caught here in the Where and on the Beemster lake were of very good quality and in great demand. The 'Purmer Ale' (Purmer eel) pamphlets hung on the walls as far as London. The eel was brought to London alive and well in ships with open keels. Here, the city of Purmerend had its own fish auction on the banks of the Thames, where the eel brought in good money.
Of course not all fish went to London, a lot was sold …
At that time, Purmerend was located between the not yet reclaimed Beemster, Purmer and Wormer lakes.
The eel caught here in the Where and on the Beemster lake were of very good quality and in great demand. The 'Purmer Ale' (Purmer eel) pamphlets hung on the walls as far as London. The eel was brought to London alive and well in ships with open keels. Here, the city of Purmerend had its own fish auction on the banks of the Thames, where the eel brought in good money.
Of course not all fish went to London, a lot was sold here in Purmerend. Where you are standing nowi s now called the Oude Vismarkt (the Old Fishmarket), the eel was sold here at the fish auction. After the reclamation of the lakes, Purmerend's eel fishing industry was lost. The fish market remained, although in a slimmed-down form. Until about 1880 the fish market on the current Oude Vismarkt was maintained for the sale of fresh fish. After 1880, the fish market moved to the Venediën, opposite the Catholic school. In 1933 the fish market, the oldest market in the city, was closed.
