In the Middle Ages, it was common practice to establish a guild for every professional group, the cheese carriers established theirs in 1593! Every Friday morning in spring & summer, the Alkmaar cheesemarket is held on the Waagplein. It’s a particular spectacle which includes a market filled with cheese and men of tradition, the hauling cheese carriers. It’s one of the very few remaining places in The Netherlands where you can see them live and understand how people working on the market are expected to behave. Everyone has a specific role, the Zetter, the Ingooier, the Vastman, the Tasman, the Voorman, the Cheese Father, etc.

Tip: Evening cheesemarket on some specific dates!