# Enkhuizen

Enkhuizen (Dutch pronunciation: ) is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland and the region of West-Frisia.

## History

Enkhuizen, like Hoorn and Amsterdam, was one of the harbour-towns of the VOC, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. On June 24, 1572 during the Eighty Years' War, in Enkhuizen five Franciscans from Alkmaar were hanged: known as the martyrs of Alkmaar.
In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands. However, due to a variety of reasons, notably the silting up of the harbours, Enkhuizen lost its position to Amsterdam.

## Tourism

Enkhuizen has one of the largest marinas in the Netherlands. The Zuiderzee Museum is located in Enkhuizen. The Drommedaris is the oldest building in Enkhuizen, dating from 1540. Tourists can take boat trips to and from the port to Medemblik.

## Industry

Industrially, Enkhuizen is home to a number of seed production companies, Enza Zaden, Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, as well as a plastics factory. Tourism is also a large part of the economy.

## Population centres

The municipality of Enkhuizen consists of the city of Enkhuizen and the settlements of Oosterdijk and Westeinde.

## Local government

After the 2022 local election, the 17 seats of Enkhuizen municipal council divided as follows:
* Enkhuizen Forward! – 3 seats
* SP – 3 seats
* CDA – 2 seats
* D66 – 2 seats
* PvdA – 2 seats
* Enkhuizer Alternative – 1 seat
* Nieuw Enkhuizen – 1 seat
* No party (C.H.Segerius) – 1 seat
* Pirate Party – 1 seat
* VVD – 1 seat

## Transport

Enkhuizen station offers direct rail service to Hoorn, Amsterdam and Maastricht/Heerlen, with the journey to Amsterdam Centraal of around an hour.
During the summer, ferries for pedestrians and cyclists operate between Enkhuizen and Stavoren, Medemblik and Urk.
It is also possible to drive or cycle across the Houtribdijk to Lelystad, passing under a naviduct near the Krabbersgat lock.

## Notable buildings

* Evangelical Lutheran Church (Enkhuizen)
* St Francis Xavier Church, Enkhuizen

## Notable residents
### Public thought and public service

* Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer (ca.1534–1606) nautical cartographer
* Franciscus Maelson (1538–1601) Dutch physician and statesman
* Dirck Gerritsz Pomp (1544–ca.1608) sailor, the first known Dutch visitor to China and Japan
* Jan Huyghen van Linschoten (1563–1611) merchant, trader and historian
* Joris Carolus (ca.1566–ca.1636) Dutch cartographer and explorer
* Johannes Antonides van der Linden (1609–1664) Dutch physician, botanist and author
* Hermann Witsius (1636–1708) Dutch theologian
* Cornelis Jan Simonsz (ca.1661–ca.1727) Governor of Dutch Ceylon 1703/1707
* Jacob Mossel (1704– 1761) sailor and Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies 1750/1761
* Jan Baas (born 1950) Dutch politician and Mayor of Enkhuizen
* Gerrit Zalm (born 1952) banker, former Minister of Finance
* Stef Blok (born 1964) Dutch politician and Minister of Foreign Affairs

### The arts

* Pieter Symonsz Potter (1597–1652) Dutch Golden Age painter
* Willem Bartsius (1612–1657) Dutch Golden Age painter.
* Jacob Steendam (1615– ca.1672) Dutch poet and minister.
* Paulus Potter (1625–1654) painter
* Pieter Gallis (1633–1697) Dutch Golden Age painter
* Dirck Ferreris (1639–1693) Dutch Golden Age painter
* Jos Lussenburg (1889–1975) Dutch painter and musician
* Matthijs Verschoor (born 1955) Dutch classical pianist and academic

### Science and business

* Jan Verbruggen (1712–1781) Dutch master gun-founder and an artist
* David de Gorter (1717–1783) Dutch physician, botanist and academic
* Gerbrand Bakker (1771–1828) physician, professor at the University of Groningen
* Harm Bart (born 1942) Dutch mathematician, economist and academic

### Sport

* Corry Vreeken (born 1928) Dutch chess Women's Grandmaster
* Nel Zwier (1936–2001) Dutch high jumper, competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics
* Eljo Kuiler (born 1946) former diver, competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics
* Wijda Mazereeuw (born 1953) Dutch swimmer, competed in the 1972 & 1976 Summer Olympics

## Gallery

* Enkhuizen, train station
* Enkhuizen, gate: de Koepoort
* Enkhuizen, town gate: de Drommedaris
* Enkhuizen in winter