City, created during the damming of the peat stream the Leek. For the development of the Monnikenbroek area, this dam (with lock) was constructed shortly after 1240, together with a connecting sea dike, by monks from the Frisian Norbertine convent Mariëngaarde near Hallum (Fr). These monks had founded a court in Marken in 1235. The first buildings formed along the sea dike (Noordeinde and Zuideinde). In 1282 the area became the property of Count Floris V.
After the place gained toll freedom in 1340, count William V Monnickendam elevated to town in 1356. The oldest core was bounded by the Oude Zijds Burgwal, the Kermergracht and the Niesenoortsburgwal. To the west of it lay the grounds of the monastery of Galilee. In 1356, between town and monastery, a first extension to the south followed, surrounded by an extension of the Oude Zijds Burgwal and the Lindengracht and the Fluwelen Burgwal. At the then formed three-lane Noordeinde,
Middendam-Zuideinde and Kerkstraat a parish church was founded (of which remains the Speeltoren). After completion of the Purmer Ee with the Nieuwendam (1402), a further southern extension to the Zuidervesting followed in 1404, bringing the monastery into the city. There they started with the construction of the current Grote Kerk.
After the capture by the Kennemer in 1426 the city was walled in. The city fires of 1499 and 1513 were devastating. In 1572 Monnickendam became Staats and due to the blockade of Amsterdam (until 1578) there was a short-lived boom. On the west side there was an expansion and the city was surrounded by new fortifications. Monnickendam, however, was quickly eclipsed by Amsterdam, which meant that this western island remained undeveloped for a long time. In 1661 they sailed for Amsterdam, but due to the declining economy, Monnickendam had only a limited regional importance in the 18th century. With the draining of the Monnickenmeer (1863) and thanks to the Amsterdam-Hoorn steam tram connection (1888-1955), this changed somewhat.
The city suffered serious damage during the flood of 1916, followed by a dike increase of the Zuideinde. From 1900 onwards the western island gradually grew and around 1920 the first houses were built south of the city walls. The importance of shipbuilding (yachts) increased, but the modest fishing fleet disappeared after 1932. From 1959 the city on the south side expanded considerably, around 1990 followed by a second shell (Rings Hemmer and Mark Gouw). With that, Monnickendam has become part of the commuter area of Amsterdam. The inner city remained largely intact and is a protected cityscape.
