I adore the website of Atlas Obscura, because I always find such interesting sights on this website. Sights that had escaped my attention even in my own country. This is how I found out about the Witches’ Weigh House in Oudewater.

Weigh Houses

I knew about the existence of weigh houses in the Netherlands before I spotted this particular one in Oudewater. Most recently I visited one in Alkmaar. If you’re in the Netherlands you’re likely to visit them accidentally, because these former weighing houses often serve as restaurants nowadays. In the past they were used for people to weigh their crops and livestock.

Witches

Then witch hysteria started which plagued Europe. Women were accused of being witches when crops failed or when livestock died. These women were usually already outcasts of society. Initially I had thought that these accusations would be a great way for men to get rid of powerful women, but that was not the case.

When someone was accused of being a witch, there was almost no way out. Witch craft tests were performed and they were often rigged, or the women were set out to fail from the get-go. One such famous test is the water test, witches were thought to be so light that they would float on the water.

The women were tied and weights were attached to these ropes and they would be pushed into the water. The women who floated were considered witches and were burned. Obviously all women drowned, which freed them of the label but which also ended their lives. Another witch test was to weigh the accused. Most weighs were rigged, which meant that the women were often coming out lighter than they actually were condemning them as a witch.

Weigh House in Oudewater

Now, how do these two tales come together? Oudwater was not just a sight were women were also simply weighed. It’s special in that the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V approved this sight as a fair weighing site. Thanks to the this, no one is thought to have gone to the stake from its scales.

Today you can still pick up your own certificate at the weighing house. Be prepared for your weight to be added to the piece of paper, but it’s great proof if there’s ever a new round of accusations (you never know with the current political climate).

Inside Museum de Heksenwaag you will also find some tidbits on the prosecution of witches, but the best part of the tiny museum is definitely the weighing ceremony.

Practical Info:
The museum costs nothing when you are a Museum Jaarkaart holder and it costs 6,50 euro (in 2019) for regular visitors.
Opening days in the off season are Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It’s easy to reach from Utrecht by public transport