Oudewater was the only city in Europe where accused witches were granted a fair trial, as the scales were considered infallible by local authorities.
The city received the right to conduct these weighings from Emperor Charles V as a privilege, effectively ending local witch persecutions.
Visitors who step onto the original scales are weighed against 16th-century standards; if they are not too light, they receive a 'Certificaat van Weeghe'.
The building was constructed as a municipal weigh house for trading goods like cheese and wool before it became a sanctuary for the accused.
The certificate issued today is recognized by many as a lighthearted but historically grounded keepsake of the city's unique legal heritage.
The Heksenwaag, or Witches' Scales, is a historic weigh house in Oudewater that gained fame during the 16th century for clearing accused witches of witchcraft. Because Holy Roman Emperor Charles V granted the city the right to conduct fair weighings, the scales were used to prove that an accused person's weight was in proportion to their build, thereby invalidating claims of supernatural lightness associated with witchcraft. Visitors can still be weighed on the original 15th-century scales and receive an official, gold-sealed certificate attesting to their non-witch status. The building itself is a preserved municipal weigh house dating back to 1482. It serves as a testament to Oudewater’s refusal to participate in the witch hunts that plagued much of Europe. The museum displays legal documents and historical records detailing the city's role in humanitarian justice. It provides insight into the history of superstition and the legal procedures of the Dutch Republic.
Standing on the historical scales while interacting with the weighmaster or holding your official certificate.
Request the certificate in your preferred language if available.
Combine your visit with a walk through the historic center of Oudewater, which retains its 17th-century layout.
Ask the staff about the specific history of the scales to hear anecdotal stories related to the trials.
Do not mistake the weigh house for a generic souvenir shop; it is a serious historical site with deep local significance.
Closed on Mondays. Open daily during the summer season, but limited operating days during the winter months.
