The Leiden Weigh House (De Waag in Dutch) is a Rijksmonument located on Aalmarkt street (nr. 21).
It was designed by Pieter Post around 1657 and opened in 1659.[1] For centuries, merchants came here to weigh and trade a variety of goods. In addition to being a weigh house, the Leiden Weigh House has hosted a variety of engagements and stately celebrations over the centuries. Notably, Govert Bidloo converted an attic room into an autopsy room to study the human body.[2]
The weigh house was in use as an actual weigh house until 1972, when the last unit of cheese was sold.[3] Nowadays, the building serves as a cultural monument and also houses a bar and restaurant.[4]
References
edit- ^ Pieter Post (Dutch architect) – Encyclopædia Britannica. Britannica.com.
- ^ http://www.watdewaagbewoog.nl/[permanent dead link]
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ [2] Business’s website
