Oudewater: Small Town Famous for the Witch Weighing Scales
The Heksenwaag in Oudewater attracted people from across Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Those accused of witchcraft could be weighed here on certified scales; a certificate stating they were not unnaturally light served as proof they were not a witch. The weighing house is now a museum. Oudewater has about 9,836 residents and is an independent gemeente in the province of Utrecht.
The town sits on the Hollandsche IJssel river and received city rights in 1265. The Stadhuis, the Grote Kerk, and the town hall with its characteristic clock tower give the compact centre a well-preserved historic atmosphere. The surrounding landscape is flat polder farmland. Oudewater is small enough to walk across in minutes but has maintained its municipal independence.
Gouda is about 10 kilometres west. Woerden lies roughly 10 kilometres north. Utrecht is approximately 25 kilometres northeast.
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The Heksenwaag in Oudewater attracted people from across Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Those accused of witchcraft could be weighed here on certified scales; a certificate stating they were not unnaturally light served as proof they were not a witch. The weighing house is now a museum. Oudewater has about 9,836 residents and is an independent gemeente in the province of Utrecht.
The town sits on the Hollandsche IJssel river and received city rights in 1265. The Stadhuis, the Grote Kerk, and the town hall with its characteristic clock tower give the compact centre a well-preserved historic atmosphere. The surrounding landscape is flat polder farmland. Oudewater is small enough to walk across in minutes but has maintained its municipal independence.
Gouda is about 10 kilometres west. Woerden lies roughly 10 kilometres north. Utrecht is approximately 25 kilometres northeast.
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