"Cheese market" Gouda Things to Do Tip by rsilva

Although now more of a tourist attraction than anything else, it is still fun to watch this "play" of how things used to be.

On the main square, in front of the city hall, you will find many piles of cheese (they are quite huge) and the farmer/producer next to his pile trying to sell it.
Then there is a negotiation phase in which an offer is made and then almost immediately refused. There is a ritual that involves slapping each others hand while this is happening. The buyer will then leave and come back after a while, then there is a new negotiation and then the buyer agrees the price, but says he wants the people to try the cheese first. He then carves a bit out and asks people to try it. If they say it is good, he will buy the lot.
When that is done, a horse-driven carriage will come up and the cheese is loaded onto it and it leaves...

It is open every Thursday from 16/06/2005 until 31/08/2005 from 10:00-12:30.

Address: Gouda Main square in front of the city hall