Alkmaar is a historic city known as a brewing center and also for the victory of the provincial forces of the Netherlands over the Spaniards in the War of Independence. For this reason, there is a saying that victory begins in Alkmaar.
Although Alkmaar received city rights in the mid-thirteenth century, its origin is at least three centuries older. From the Middle Ages, the city became an important center of brewing and cheese production. To this day, traditional cheese fairs are held here, during which exhibitors in folk costumes offer their products to buyers. A great attraction of Alkmaar is the building of the 17th-century brewery standing by the market square, in which the De Boom National Beer Museum operates.
While exploring Alkmaar, you can see the well-preserved historic center with the market square, town hall and the municipal weigh building. One of the most valuable monuments is the Big Church in Alkamaar, where the founder of the city, Count Floris V of the Netherlands, is buried. The customs tower next to the port canal and the Molen van Piet windmill come from the 17th century. An interesting fact about Alkmaar is the Beatels Museum, which has the largest private collection of memorabilia of the British band in the world.
