De Waag (The Weigh House) – Alkmaar
The Spectral Secrets of De Waag: Alkmaar’s Haunted Weigh House
In the heart of Alkmaar, a city famed for its cheese markets and charming canals, stands De Waag—a historic weigh house that has borne witness to centuries of trade and tradition. But beneath its picturesque facade lies a darker history, one shrouded in mystery and whispered tales of the supernatural. De Waag is not just a symbol of Alkmaar’s rich heritage; it is also a place where the past refuses to rest. Visitors and locals alike have reported eerie occurrences, from ghostly apparitions to unexplained noises, all tied to the tragic story of a woman whose spirit is said to haunt the building.
The Tragic Tale of the Weigh House Ghost
The haunting of De Waag is rooted in a tale of love, betrayal, and untimely death. According to local folklore, the building is haunted by the ghost of a young woman who lived during the 17th century. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant who frequented the weigh house to trade his goods. The woman fell deeply in love with a young man who worked at De Waag, but their romance was doomed from the start. Her father, disapproving of the relationship, forbade them from seeing each other. Heartbroken and desperate, the woman secretly met her lover at the weigh house one fateful night. Tragically, their meeting ended in disaster when she accidentally fell from the upper floors, her life extinguished in an instant.
Since that night, her spirit is said to have lingered within the walls of De Waag, unable to move on from the place where she met her untimely end. Her ghost has been seen wandering the halls, her sorrowful presence felt by those who dare to enter after dark.
Whispers in the Night
Visitors to De Waag have reported a range of unsettling phenomena. Strange noises are a common occurrence—footsteps echoing in empty corridors, the faint sound of weeping, and the occasional creak of floorboards as if someone is pacing the rooms above. Some have claimed to hear a woman’s voice, soft and mournful, calling out for her lost love. Others have reported sudden drops in temperature, even on warm summer days, as if the ghostly presence draws warmth from the air.
One of the most chilling accounts comes from a night watchman who worked at De Waag in the early 20th century. He claimed to have seen the ghostly figure of a woman dressed in 17th-century clothing standing on the upper balcony, her face pale and her eyes filled with sorrow. When he approached her, she vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a faint, lingering scent of roses—a detail that has been mentioned in multiple sightings over the years.
The Cheese Scales of Doom
De Waag’s haunted reputation extends beyond the ghostly woman. The building’s iconic cheese scales, once used to weigh the famous Alkmaar cheeses, are said to have a mind of their own. On quiet nights, staff have reported hearing the scales creak and groan as if being used, despite no one being present. Some believe this is the work of restless spirits tied to the building’s long history as a center of trade and commerce. Others speculate that the scales are a conduit for the supernatural, a tool through which the dead can make their presence known.
A Portal to the Past?
Paranormal investigators who have visited De Waag suggest that the building may be a hotspot for supernatural activity due to its long and storied history. The weigh house has stood for over 500 years, serving as a gathering place for merchants, traders, and townsfolk. With so much human emotion and energy concentrated in one place, it’s no wonder that the veil between the living and the dead is said to be thin here. Some even believe that De Waag is a portal to the past, a place where the spirits of those who once walked its halls can still be glimpsed.
The Legacy of De Waag
Today, De Waag is a beloved landmark and a popular tourist destination, housing a museum dedicated to the history of cheese-making in Alkmaar. But its haunted reputation persists, adding an air of mystery to its already fascinating history. Visitors who explore the building often find themselves captivated not only by its historical significance but also by the eerie atmosphere that seems to permeate its ancient walls.
As the sun sets over Alkmaar and the canals grow still, De Waag takes on a different character. The shadows lengthen, the air grows heavy, and the whispers of the past grow louder. Whether you come to learn about cheese or to seek a brush with the supernatural, one thing is certain: De Waag is a place where history and legend intertwine, and where the spirits of the past are never far away.
So, the next time you find yourself in Alkmaar, take a moment to visit De Waag. But be warned: if you hear the faint sound of weeping or catch a glimpse of a woman in old-fashioned dress, you may have encountered the ghostly resident who calls this historic weigh house home. Enter if you dare, but remember—not all who visit De Waag leave with their curiosity satisfied. Some leave with a story they’ll never forget.
