Edam (Dutch pronunciation: [eːˈdɑm] ⓘ) is a city in the northwest Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.

The town of Edam was founded around a dam crossing the river E or IJe close by the Zuiderzee, now known as the IJsselmeer.

The building of the new harbour gave Edam connections to the major cities in Holland and the international trading routes.

By the 16th century there were as many as 33 wharves in Edam, which, along with the fact that Edam was also granted the right to hold a market three times every year, provided a great boost to the local economy – making it one of the more important towns of North Holland, vying with Enkhuizen, Hoorn and Amsterdam.

However, the open sea mouth caused flooding problems in the hinterland and in 1544 the Emperor Charles V gave orders to close the harbour with lock gates, which were built in the town centre in 1569.

In 1594 this right was given in perpetuity by Prince Willem I as a mark of his appreciation for the town's support during the Siege of Alkmaar.

The old town centre, within the borders of the old city walls, is nowadays protected by the government, both the main structures and architectural details.

The entrance with its heavy double doors and sandstone surrounds are in the Louis XIV style and a wooden tower completes the picture.

The house represents typical Dutch construction of the period, and the internal layout is completely original.

The bells, protruding from the open lantern, were made by Pieter van den Ghein in 1566 and still ring out a short melody every 15 minutes.