De Goudse Waag Guide
Weighing in on History: Discover the Goudse Waag! Guide
Welcome to De Goudse Waag, a charming historical building in the heart of Gouda, Netherlands. This iconic structure, once the city's cheese weighing house, offers a fascinating glimpse into Gouda's rich history and its world-famous cheese trade. Step inside and explore the exhibits that tell the story of Gouda cheese, from its production to its global popularity. The Goudse Waag's history dates back to 1668, when it was built to replace an older, smaller weighing house. For centuries, farmers and traders brought their cheeses here to be weighed and taxed, ensuring fair trade and contributing to Gouda's prosperity. The building itself is a beautiful example of Dutch Golden Age architecture, with its distinctive stepped gable and ornate details. Today, it stands as a testament to Gouda's enduring cheese-making heritage. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits that explain the cheese-making process, learn about the different types of Gouda cheese, and even sample some of the local delicacies. The Goudse Waag also houses a small shop where you can purchase Gouda cheese and other regional products. Don't miss the opportunity to take a photo with the giant cheese scales outside the building! Gouda is famous for its cheese, and you can find many shops and restaurants offering cheese-related dishes, such as cheese fondue, cheese soup, and cheese platters.
Transportation
The Goudse Waag is located in the city center and is easily accessible by foot. From Gouda Central Station, it's approximately a 15-minute walk. Several bus lines also stop near the Markt (market square), where the Goudse Waag is located. For example, bus lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 175, 177, 186, 197, 497, 498, 724, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, and 1000.