Amsterdam's
various ancient houses and historic buildings, each with a story of its own, make
up an ambiance that perfectly resembles the Middle Ages. The city is surrounded
by three canals, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht, along
which the sightseeing musts of Holland's capital are located.
Houses
Het
Houten Huys (±1425)
Begijnhof 34
You cannot get to know Amsterdam
as it really was unless you visit a wooden house, which used to prevail in the
city. Nowadays, only two of them remain, and therefore become an obliged stop
during your stay: the "Het Houten Huys" (which stands for "The
Wooden House") was built in the 15th century on Begijnhof 34, and features
a gothic timber frame and an enchanting decoration; at Zeedijk 1 you will find
the second one, with a unique cantiveler façade.
Het
Huis met de Hoofden (1622)
Keizersgracht 123
On Keizersgracht, the
six effigies of the "Het Huis met de Hoofden" (meaning "The House
with the Effigies") captivate tourists immediately. The façade of
this building boasts gargoyles, pillars and the figures that name it, as well
as an original front door and gate. Beyond this entrance, the first section of
the house dates back to the 17th century, and has not been restored or altered
since then: once inside, pay special attention to the marble fireplace, an antiquity
that used to rest at the Stedelijk Museum.
De
Vier Heemskinderen (±1671)
Herengracht 394
At the corner of
the Herengracht and the Leidsegracht, stands the "De Vier Heemskinderen"
("Heymijn's Four Sons"), named after the memorial tablet situated at
its top. Here you will find the original Dutch Gable that belongs to the local
Classicism period.
Civic
Buildings
Schreierstoren
(±1487)
Prins Hendrikkade
The "Schreierstoren" are
a group of towers that used to make up the stone wall which protected the city
of Amsterdam. The name of one of the strongholds has a curious, romantic origin.
Although it was originally called "Schreyhoeckstoren", it is now known
as Schreierstoren, which stands for "Weeping Tower": many women would
stand at this tower, weeping while they waved goodbye to their husbands or lovers
on their way to war.
Munttoren (1620)
Muntplein
Another
important tower in the defence wall is "Munttoren", or "Mint Tower".
It was named like this in 1672, when Amsterdam began to strike its own coins and
the place chosen for it was located in the guardhouse right next to it.
Churches
Nieuwe
Kerk (end of the 14th century)
De Dam
At the Dam Square, next to the
Royal Palace, a church resembling the French temples can be found: the "Nieuwe
Kerk", which means "New Church", was built at the end of the 14th
century in Gothic style and today hosts public events such as concerts and exhibitions.
Sint Nicolaaskerk (1884-1887)
Prins
Hendrikkade
One of the most beautiful and well preserved temples in Amsterdam
is St Nicholas Church, or "Sint Nicolaaskerk". Its construction finished
in 1887 and despite the passing of time, it still works as a Catholic church.
Located on Prins Hendrikkade, right in front of the Central Station, it is worth
visiting for its marvellous interior and unique combination of baroque and neo-renaissance
details.
Monuments
by Quarter
Jordaan
Westerkerk
Amsterdam
also possesses a number of Protestant churches: one of their main characteristics
is that the name chosen for the temple doesn't respond to a saint or religious
figure but to the point of the compass where the building stands. The Westerkerk
church, in Jordaan, may not show any Protestant ornaments and practically no decoration,
but it surely does follow this basic principle, with its Wester Tower as its main
feature.
Noorderkerk
The
particular design of the Noorderkerk in Amsterdam set an example that would be
later followed by other Protestant temples in Holland: originally planned by the
architect Hendrick de Keysers, it has a Greek cross shape and follows the principles
of the "central construction" layout, which used to be quite trendy
in the 17th century.
Around
Dam Square
National Monument
Second
World War has its main memorial place at the National Monument, located on Dam
Square. Built to honour the victims of the conflict, it was unveiled on May 4
1956 and every year, on that day, a public commemoration is held with the presence
of dignitaries and members of the Royal family.
Narrowest
House
At Amsterdam the narrowest house in the world can be found: on Singel
7, it only measures 101 centimetres wide, and holds the official record. In fact,
this really narrow passage is the back entrance to a house with normal width at
the front. Therefore, it could be easily beat by the narrowest house in Europe,
at Oude Hoogstraat 22. Located between Dam Square and Kloveniersbugwal, this building
is 2,02 metres wide and features a charming clock gable.
Magna
Plaza
If you are prepared for a shopping-spree in Amsterdam but still don't
want to leave its historical charm behind, the Magna Plaza is the ideal option.
Placed behind Nieuwe Kerk, as you walk towards the Spui, the building that used
to work as General Post Office in the 19th century now hosts more than 40 shops
selling clothes and souvenirs. The mall also features two restaurants and an ample
hall where to rest after all your purchases.
Royal
Palace
The Royal Palace is perhaps one of the sightseeing points you should
never miss in Amsterdam: however, visits are allowed providing Queen Beatrice
is not present. Even though she doesn't live here permanently, it is at this 17th
century building where she receives VIP guests: so if you see the red carpet rolled
out and the flag flapping on the palace, plan your visit for next time, because
these are the signs of the Queen's presence.
The Royal Palace was built on
Dam Square as the City Hall, but Louis Napoleon ordered to turn it into a luxurious
residence in 1808: this is how the offices became bedrooms, ballrooms or dining
areas, and they all managed to outlive their creator. The original setting is
also still visible among relevant paintings and sculptures that illustrate the
administrative initial functions of the building.
The
'old' Nieuwe Kerk
The church known as the Nieuwe Kerk has known bad days
and nevertheless it has survived, that is why it is one of the temples that the
Dutch are most proud of. Located on Dam Square, right next to the Royal Palace,
it was built in 1408 as the second parish church in Amsterdam. It was the bishop
of Utrecht who decided to compliment the old temple, Oude Kerk, on Oudekerksplein
Square, with a new religious site that would soon gain fame for its resistance.
The Nieuwe Kerk was created in a moment of welfare among the local inhabitants,
when the population grew constantly as well as wealth, therefore the church was
built within this spirit of progress.
However,
many fires would damage the building in the years to come: first, in 1421, when
a large part of the city was burnt down; then, while it was being restored in
1452, another episode kept damaging the structure. In spite of this fate, the
constant care of the people from Amsterdam turned it into a beautiful church full
of enchanting ornaments, which is now visited regularly by tourists from all over
the world. Its decoration has a lot to do with the political and religious conflicts
that Europe went through during the 17th century: in 1578 the Nieuwe Kerk was
claimed by the Presbyterian church, which eliminated statues and altars in their
crave for austerity. After another fire damaged the temple in 1645, the reconstruction
works were not so effective as before due to the building of the new City Hall
besides the Royal Palace. This is the reason why the church doesn't sport a bell
tower, though it did receive three small clocks that were mounted in the tower.
Red
Light District
De Oude
Kerk
The oldest church is Amsterdam also had to endure hard times, fires
and reconstructions, but the result is amazing, and nowadays, many famous and
rich Dutch people rest in the tombs at the temple. The Oude Kerk is thought to
have had its first foundation in Roman times, as archaeological finds during the
20th century have noticed an original style that resembles the Empire's one. However,
its construction did not finish till the beginning of the 14th century, and in
the meantime, the works were disrupted by Count Floris V's troops invasion in
1274, which set part of the city in flames.
Anyway, the people in Amsterdam
had their first church by the 14th century, in spite of the continuous phases
of reconstruction (in 1380 the north-transept was created; the crossing with the
aisles was added in 1412; and the southtransept did not become real till 1460).
When the second parish church in the city was planned, Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk
began to compete for financial resources. However, the old temple was never as
much damaged by fire as the new one: it even survived the major fire from 1652.
What in fact affected the church on Oudekerksplein Square was the iconoclastic
fury from 1566, which did away with every altar and statue of saints in the temple.
The religious reformations that Europe endured in those years turned the church
into a 'living room' for the city, where beggars and homeless would spend the
night and vendors display their goods during the day. The Oude Kerk was finally
refurbished in the 17th century, and later a Vater Müller organ from 1724
was incorporated. Tombs, chapels and altars were also built by wealthy families,
and one of them became the final resting-place of Rembrandt's wife, Saskia.
Waterloo
Square
In 1880, the Leprozengracht and Houtgracht canals were filled in,
creating a new square in Amsterdam that was named Waterlooplein (which stands
for Waterloo Square). Nowadays, it works as a fascinating flea market, but originally
it was destined to host the Jewish traders: located mainly around Jodenbreestraat,
the many businesses of this community were moved here till the persecution of
the Jews in 1941. After the war, even though the market was set again, it never
regained its former charm, with bustling commerce held six days a week (it only
closed on the Jewish Sabbath).
Around Waterloo Square, you will also find the
new City Hall and the Muziektheater. The latter was designed by the architect
Willem Holzbauer from Vienna and his Dutch colleague Cees Dam and today hosts
ballet and opera performances. Due to this curious combination of City Hall and
opera, the square is also known as Stopera, a contraction of the Dutch word for
city hall and "opera".
Jewish
Historical Museum
The Jewish Historical Museum, honouring the heritage
of this community in Amsterdam, works in four former synagogues that used to serve
the many Jews in the city before the Nazis domination. The first of these synagogues
was built in 1670 by the architect Daniel Stalpaert. Soon afterwards, as this
religious community grew in Amsterdam, a new temple was created right next to
the first one, followed by two more, the latter in 1752. However, serious damage
was caused by the Nazis during the Second World War, and the synagogues were closed
due to the decreasing number of Jews surviving the conflict.
The four buildings
were turned into a museum complex in 1987, with glass roofs connecting the different
synagogues and a varied range of activities designed to honour the history and
culture of the Jews in Holland. At the fourth synagogue the exhibitions highlight
the community's identity as well as their suffering during the war years, while
at the oldest one the religious aspects of Judaism become the main topic. Once
you have gone through the different rooms and enjoyed the museum, a kosher coffee
shop offers plates from the Jewish cuisine that are really worth tasting.
Museum
Rembrandt House
Jodenbreestraat may have lost the lively Jewish market,
but it will always be known as the place where the famous Rembrandt van Rijn lived.
The painter inhabited the house at Number 4 between 1639 and 1658, and it was
kept just as it was in these days till the present. Turned into a museum in 1908,
it still shows the original organization: on the ground floor, you will find Rembrandt's
living quarters; on the first floor, his studio with some of his great works;
and on the second floor, the place where his pupils used to practise. And practically
every graphical work from the famous painter can be enjoyed here: landscapes,
portraits, around 250 etchings as well as biblical scenes, self-portraits and
other drawings are displayed in the original setting where the master gained his
inspiration.
Plantage
Hollandsche Schouwburg
and Memorial
The main entertainment centre in the Jewish neighbourhood
was up to 1914 the Hollandsche Schouwburg (which stands for "Dutch Theatre"),
located at number 24 of Plantage Middenlaan. Built originally in 1892 as a luxurious
building which boasted a chandelier with 140 gaslights, its fate changed completely
during the Second World War. At first, after a German requisition, Jewish performances
were only allowed for Jewish audiences, and between 1942 and 1943, the building
worked as a deportation centre, from where the Jews were sent to concentration
camps.
In 1962, it was officially turned into a war memorial, with special
monuments to honour the victims and an illuminated Wall of Remembrance with the
6.700 family names of the Jews killed. The former auditorium was turned into a
courtyard with an obelisk and a chapel that was designed to house an eternal flame.
Netherlands
Maritime Museum Amsterdam
On Kattenburgerplein, you will find one of Amsterdam's
treasures: the impressive building that used to house the Admiralty`s naval warehouse.
Created in only 9 months by the same architect that built the first synagogue
in the city, Daniel Stalpaert, it now hosts the Netherlands Maritime Museum. Here
visitors become witnesses of Dutch`s power on the seas, both for commerce and
war. Among its collection, there are scale models of merchant ships, portraits
of heroic sailors and captains and medals from one of the greatest victories in
the country's history: the destruction of the Spanish Armada. Other ornaments
from Holland's naval history that are worth having a look at are the original
wooden figureheads.
Museumquarter
Rijksmuseum
Your
tour around Amsterdam`s museums must begin here, at the so-called Holland's Treasure
Trove, the Rijksmuseum. Not only does this art and history gallery host Rembrandt's
masterpiece, the "Night Watch", but it also encloses other works of
art, from paintings by famous artists to doll's houses and a magnificent garden.
The building dates from 1885, ordered by Louis Bonaparte and designed by the architect
P. Cuypers: even though the interior of the museum is the main attraction here,
the façade also demands some attention, mainly due to its tiled tableaux,
statues and ornaments.
The Rijksmuseum is the largest in the Netherlands,
and is known internationally for the quality of its collection, including more
than 400 masterpieces from Holland's Golden Age and works by Rembrandt, Vermeer,
Frans Hals and Jan Steen. Once you have enjoyed these pieces, there are beautiful
collections of silverware, doll's houses, prints and drawings to admire, as well
as some exotic Asian works. A complete presentation of the country's history is
also featured at the museum, so that your knowledge of Dutch culture may be improved
once you have finished your visit.
Stedelijk
Museum of Moderm Art
Just metres away from the Rijksmuseum, contemporary
art has its own treasures at the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art. All the great
styles from the second half of the 20th century can be found here, from impressionism
to minimalism and pop. Paintings by Cézanne, Chagall, Picasso and Monet
are scattered among sculptures, drawings, prints and photographs. And young artists
also present their recent work, adding the 21st century spirit that is already
present thanks to a collection of graphic and applied arts that respond to the
new arts resources. This constant changing of presentations makes the Stedelijk
Museum of Modern Art a place where creativity lives intensely.
Van
Gogh Museum
If you are a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, there is no better place
in Amsterdam than the Van Gogh Museum, which actually possesses the largest collection
of paintings by this famous artist. The painter, who lived between 1853 and 1890,
and has ten years of prolific production, seems to live within the walls of this
sightseeing must in Holland's capital city: not only does it house his paintings,
but it also allows the visitor to go through his more than 700 letters and documents,
enabling tourists form everywhere to know the life and character of Van Gogh.
More than 200 paintings and 500 drawings are displayed in this building that
was constructed in 1973, which was expanded in 1999 because the small dimensions
wouldn't be enough for the number of visitors received regularly.
Stables
The
Hollandse Manege (which stands for "Dutch Stables") is located at number
40 Vondelstraat and can accommodate up to 143 horses. These old stables were built
in 1882 by the architect A.L. Gendt, inspired in the Spanish Riding School in
Vienna, and feature a metal roof that is worth having a look at.
Glass-Walled
Church
At Voldelstraat you will surely identify the Vondel Church, known
as the Glass-walled church for this main feature that sets it apart from other
temples in the city. Even though it now works as an office department, is boasts
a certain charm due to its modern hue, in spite of being built in 1880. Designed
by the architect P. Cuypers, it is located on an oval-shaped square and served
the Catholic community till it was left abandoned. After many phases of renovation,
it finally become an office building.
