Gedempte Where

You are now walking along Gedempte Where. This street was once a river, the River Where, flowing to Beemstermeer (Lake Beemster) and Purmermeer (Lake Purmer) and serving as a major connection for shipping.

In the early years of Purmerend, around the year 1300, there was a ferry across the Where from this point and it contributed considerably to the town’s expansion. Purmerend was located at a crossroads created by major waterways and roads, but this ferry provided the only means of crossing the river, making Purmerend the most suitable place in the vicinity for trade.

The municipal authorities decided to fill in the River Where in 1970: Purmerend’s population was rising steadily and cars were filling the town with more traffic so the municipal authorities filled in the River Where, making the centre of the town more accessible for traffic. As you can see, this street is still one of the main traffic arteries in Purmerend.

The location menu shows photographs of the river as it was when it still flowed through the town.