Nederland - Oudewater

Oudewater originated around 1100 in a meander bend where the Lange Linschoten rivulet meets the Hollandse IJssel river. The origin of the name Oudewater is not known. Most likely, it is a corruption of oude (uiter)waarden (old water-meadows). It became city rights in 1265. given by the bishop of Utrecht.

Oudewater suffered immensely during the Eighty-years war in the hands of the Spanish due to its recognition of William van Oranje as their rightful governor. The siege resulted in the murder of nearly the entire town’s population and the destruction of most of the medieval city.

After that war - during the 16th and 17th century -Oudewater rebuilt itself and prospered. Cheese and ropes were a major industry, which cultivated hemp to create high-quality ropes used for the boats sailing to Indonesia and beyond. Cheese has remained a major industry to this day, which is why the Waag (Weigh House) in Oudewater was built at the end of the 15th century.

Oudewater is well known for its Heksenwaag (Witches' scales). This Weighing house, an official town building, became famous at the height of the European witch trials of the 16th century because people accused of witchcraft were offered a fair chance to prove their innocence as opposed to many other places where the scales were rigged.

Today De Waag - with a small museum - is the main attraction of Oudewater, next to other attractive monumental buildings in its historic center.