The Gouda Cheese
and Crafts Museum
31 October 1667 was the date of the decision to build De Waag, which was commissioned to famous architect Pieter Post. The building was completed in 1669. As the upper floor did not really contribute to the weighing function of the building it was let to the city’s militia. Trading goods supplied were weighed on the ground floor, after which they were taxed according to the weighing outcome. From 1850 onward only cheeses were admitted for weighing. Extensive restoration took place in 1956 and the Cheese Museum was put up in De Waag in 1995. This sums up the history of the Kaaswaag in giant steps.
However, there are more crafts inextricably bound to Gouda, all of them very well-known outside Gouda as well. From 13 April 2006 onward, part of the Waag has been laid out as Cheese and Crafts Museum. This gives you an all-in-one impression of what Gouda deserves to be proud of in a historical sense. There are frequent, regular demonstrations of various Gouda crafts in the Waag, for instance:
- Gouda cheesemaking
- Gouda candledipping
- Goudaware painting
- Gouda clay pipe manufacturing
- Gouda pottery (ceramics) manufacturing
See the agenda for demonstration days and times.
Visitors to the Waag museum section can book a guided tour on request. The guide will inform you about the building and explain about Gouda products and history. In the Cheese and Crafts Museum you will find a large collection on Gouda crafts. One or more crafts are demonstrated at frequent, regular intervals and you will often have an opportunity of making your own candles.
Your Own ‘Cheese Weight’
You can have your weight taken on authentic scales during the Gouda Cheese And Crafts Market each Thursday morning between 25 June and 27 August. You receive a certificate afterwards.
However, there are more crafts inextricably bound to Gouda, all of them very well-known outside Gouda as well. From 13 April 2006 onward, part of the Waag has been laid out as Cheese and Crafts Museum. This gives you an all-in-one impression of what Gouda deserves to be proud of in a historical sense. There are frequent, regular demonstrations of various Gouda crafts in the Waag, for instance:
- Gouda cheesemaking
- Gouda candledipping
- Goudaware painting
- Gouda clay pipe manufacturing
- Gouda pottery (ceramics) manufacturing
See the agenda for demonstration days and times.
Visitors to the Waag museum section can book a guided tour on request. The guide will inform you about the building and explain about Gouda products and history. In the Cheese and Crafts Museum you will find a large collection on Gouda crafts. One or more crafts are demonstrated at frequent, regular intervals and you will often have an opportunity of making your own candles.
Your Own ‘Cheese Weight’
You can have your weight taken on authentic scales during the Gouda Cheese And Crafts Market each Thursday morning between 25 June and 27 August. You receive a certificate afterwards.
Shop
The ground floor of the museum also houses a souvenir shop, admission-free from the street. Here you will find an assortment of original souvenirs of your visit to Gouda Cheese City, and more. The Museum’s volunteers will be pleased to advise and help you. Another thing you can buy here is traditional Gouda Farm Cheese: very nice, and first of all: delicious to bring back home.
The ground floor of the museum also houses a souvenir shop, admission-free from the street. Here you will find an assortment of original souvenirs of your visit to Gouda Cheese City, and more. The Museum’s volunteers will be pleased to advise and help you. Another thing you can buy here is traditional Gouda Farm Cheese: very nice, and first of all: delicious to bring back home.
Kaaswaag Opening Hours
1 April to 31 October:
Tuesdays – Sundays: 13.00 to 17.00 hrs (except Thursdays!)
Thursdays: 10.00 to 17.00 hrs
Museum Admission Tickets
€ 3.50 per person
Children until 12: € 3.- per child
Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children until 12): € 10.-
Group tickets (15 to 40 persons): € 3.- per person
Admission tickets include the following:
1 April to 31 October:
Tuesdays – Sundays: 13.00 to 17.00 hrs (except Thursdays!)
Thursdays: 10.00 to 17.00 hrs
Museum Admission Tickets
€ 3.50 per person
Children until 12: € 3.- per child
Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children until 12): € 10.-
Group tickets (15 to 40 persons): € 3.- per person
Admission tickets include the following:
- Frequent guided tours, certainly in case of group visits.
- First floor: a presentation of Gouda crafts; candles, pottery, Goudaware painting and Gouda clay pipes. 1900 scale-model of the Markt.
- Second floor: all there is to know about cheesemaking; photomaking panel.
- Crafts are demonstrated almost every day, for instance cheesemaking on Thursday mornings between 10.00 and 13.00 hrs. See the notice-board near the entrance.
