Waag

Waag is a Dutch term meaning weighing house, a public building historically used to weigh goods for taxation, trade, and regulation. Weighing houses were typically located near markets, harbors, or city centers, and served as an official site where merchants could have their products measured and verified. The institution reflected the role of urban authorities in monitoring commerce and ensuring fair trade. Many waags were constructed in brick during the 17th and 18th centuries and were designed to convey authority, transparency, and civic pride. As trade practices and taxation systems changed, numerous waags were repurposed for municipal uses such as archives, offices, or cultural venues, while others were preserved as historic monuments or tourist attractions.

The best-known surviving example is De Waag in Amsterdam, a 17th-century brick building that originally functioned as the city’s weighing house. In multiple Dutch towns, buildings named Waag remain landmarks and may today house museums, restaurants, or civic spaces. The word Waag is used in urban signage and cultural references, and it is commonly associated with the historic streetscapes surrounding markets. While the exact functions of individual waags evolved over time, the concept remains a notable symbol of early modern trade regulation in the region.