Brasserie de Waegh

History

Waegh is an Old Dutch word for a weighing house. There was already a waegh building in Monnickendam in 1382. This was destroyed by a fire in 1666. The current Waegh dates from 1668 and was built from the remains of its predecessor. The Waegh was the economic center of the city and in fact had two functions: the Waegh building (inside) and the Beurs (outside under the roof). The building was used for weighing and trading butter, cheese and grains. The original balances are a nice detail from that time.

Functions through the ages

The Upper Room served as a meeting room of the council, which consisted of four mayors and various council members. Over the centuries, De Waegh has provided shelter for, among others, the militia and the fire brigade. During the First World War, the building served as a distribution office and was a temporary 'hospital' for the sick. In the 19th century, trout or barley porridge was distributed to the poor every day under the canopy in winter. Monnickendam residents owe their nickname Troeters to this.