City, originated in the first half of the 8th century on a creek ridge from Abbekerk. At the current Kerksteeg and Oostersteeg an elongated residential area developed on the creek with north of the creek de Middenleek dammed up to Oude Haven, which gave the city its name.
The first mention (Medemolaca) dates from 985. The dam in the Oude Haven was located at the location of the current square in front of the town hall. The buildings to the north of the Oude Haven disappeared due to the intrusive water and the Westfriese Omringdijk that was built in the 13th century. On the south side of the harbor mouth, Count Floris V in 1288 had the forcible castle Radboud built. The following year he granted city rights to Medemblik. The trade concentrated on the Breedstraat and the Nieuwstraat (originally a cross canal), with the southern city boundary the Achterom and the Gedempte Achterom. At the first flowering period came an end by the sacking in 1517 by the Zwarte Hoop: the Gelders-Friese gang of Grote Pier. The recovery was hampered by a city fire in 1555. After the city had become State in 1572, a period of new flourishing followed and Medemblik belonged to the twelve small voiced cities of Holland. In 1589-'99 the Oosterhaven was built and it was given a wall that also enclosed the castle. The Westerhaven and the Eilandshaven, also known as the Pekelharinghaven, followed in 1631-'32, as well as the new wall built by Laurens van Teylingen.
From about 1650 onwards the economic weather deteriorated. For a brief revival, the establishment of the government yard in 1799, to which the Westerhaven was enlarged and was converted into a dock under the direction of A.F. Goudriaan. In 1810 Medemblik got the status of war harbor, but as early as 1822 the war fleet and the rijkswerf were moved to Den Helder and in 1850 followed the Royal Marine Institute. The Old Port was no longer a service from 1850 and in 1870 the island harbor was filled up. The establishment of the Rijks Krankzinnigen Gesticht (1884), the construction of the railway to Hoorn (1887) and the establishment of a steam canning factory (1906, at the castle) provided some economic solace.
A first urban expansion was realized around 1930 in the form of the Plan West (Meerlaan et al.). In 1962, Medemblik was designated as the industrial core. In the southwest, an industrial park has been constructed, followed by the expansion areas Koggenwijk (1960), Parkwijk (1963) and Randwijk (1965). While the fish auction was disbanded in 1972, the importance of Medemblik as a water sports center increased to such an extent that the island harbor was excavated again in 1989. The harbors and the area around the church are a protected cityscape.
