Grote Markt (Haarlem)

The Grote Markt (Dutch: [ˌɣroːtə ˈmɑr(ə)kt] ⓘ; "Big Market") is the central market square of Haarlem, Netherlands.

According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica; In the great market place in the centre of the city are gathered together the larger number of the most interesting buildings, including the quaint old Fleshers' Hall, built by Lieven de Key in 1603, and now containing the archives;[1] the town hall; the old Stadsdoelen, where the burgesses met in arms; the Groote Kerk, or Great Church; and the statue erected in 1856 to Laurens Janszoon Koster, the printer.

The Great Church, dedicated to St Bavo, with a lofty tower (255 ft.), is one of the most famous in Holland, and dates from the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th centuries.

Its great length (460 ft.) and the height and steepness of its vaulted cedar-wood roof (1538) are very impressive.

In the belfry are the damiaatjes, small bells presented to the town, according to tradition, by William I, Count of Holland (d. 1222), the crusader.

The Grote Markt in Haarlem with the Sint-Bavokerk . In the shadow of the church on the northern side is the former fish market . On the left is the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster and on the right are the Vleeshal and the Verweyhal .
The north side of Grote Markt, Haarlem, looking west