Volendam

Volendam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌvoːlə(n)ˈdɑm] ) is a tourist town in the municipality of Edam-Volendam, province of North Holland, Netherlands, 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. It is twinned with Coventry, England.

Early years

Originally, Volendam was the location of the harbour of nearby city Edam, which was situated at the mouth of the IJ 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'.

19th century artists’ colony

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.

 Dutch girl, Otto Piltz (1908)

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.

Today, Hotel Spaander maintains an extensive collection of over 1300 artworks created in Volendam, including contemporary pieces acquired through an 'Artist in Residence' program, preserving its rich artistic heritage.[1] Moreover, a significant number of paintings inspired by Volendam adorns the walls of internationally renowned museums, including Tate Britain, National Galery of Art, Ulster Museum, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum.

New Year's fire

In the New Year's night of 2000 to 2001, the lighting of a bundle of sparklers caused a short but intense fire at a party in café De Hemel. The sparklers ignited the dry Christmas decorations on the ceiling, which fell down in their entirety. 14 people died and 200 people were seriously injured.

^ "Hotel Spaander al 130 jaar een thuis voor kunstenaars". Oneindig Noord Holland. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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