Typically Dutch

Volendam was originally called Folle (n) dam. Originally came here the IJe or E, which was the place Edam, in the Zuiderzee. In 1357 the Edammers dug a shorter connection between the Purmermeer and the Zuiderzee. Then a dam was built in front of the old harbor of Edam and the old harbor was closed; hence Follendam. That way Edam got a new harbor, the Oorgat. Farmers and fishermen soon settled here. Some groundworkers also stayed behind in the new village after the excavation ended.