Alkmaar’s Timeless Cheese Charm: 1923 in Radiant Color!

This captivating colorized footage unveils the picturesque city of Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands, in 1923—nearly a century ago—offering a vibrant glimpse into its pre-war charm and iconic traditions. Filmed as a silent documentary in vivid hues, the film captures Alkmaar’s stunning gabled houses, the world-renowned cheese market on Waagplein with cheese bearers in their white costumes, and the serene Noordhollandsch Kanaal, famous for its floating bridges, one of which—still existing but moved upstream—is featured here, built after the canal’s opening in 1824. With a population of about 28,000 in 1923, the footage showcases horse-drawn carts, locals in traditional attire, and the lively market atmosphere, set against medieval landmarks like St. Laurentius Church and the town’s historic canals, first mentioned as "Alcmere" in 1063. A dazzling window into Alkmaar’s golden age before World War II, this restored archive grips history buffs, Dutch heritage enthusiasts, and food lovers, offering a vivid glimpse of the city frozen in time.