Many monuments
and historic buildings can be found in Amsterdam. If you walk along
the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht, you will step
back to into the Middle Ages for a moment. There are many historic
buildings along these canals which encircle the city center. A few
of the historic buildings and monuments that can be found in Amsterdam
are now described.
Houses
Het Houten
Huys (±1425)
Begijnhof 34
In earlier times there were many wooden houses in Amsterdam. Now,
unfortunately, only two remain. Another wooden house can be found
at Zeedijk 1 and on the Begijnhof 'Het Houten Huys' (The Wooden
House) can be found. It is definitely worth taking a look inside.
The house has a gothic timber frame which is ornately decorated.
Het Huis
met de Hoofden (1622)
Keizersgracht 123
‘Het Huis met de Hoofden’ (The House with the Effigies)
is on the Keizersgracht. It is richly decorated with lion gargoyles,
pillars etc. There are six effigies on the facade. The house is
named after these. The front door is the original with a gate. Behind
this is the front part of the house. This has not been altered since
the 17th century. You may find it interesting to know that the marble
fireplace in the house used in to be in the Stedelijk Museum.
De Vier Heemskinderen
(±1671)
Herengracht 394
The corner house 'De Vier Heemskinderen' (Heymijn’s Four Sons)
can be found on the corner of the Herengracht and the Leidsegracht.
The house still has the original Dutch Gable dating from the Dutch
Classicism period. The house owes its name to the memorial tablet
'De Vier Heemskinderen' at the top of the house.
Civic
Buildings
Schreierstoren
(±1487)
Prins Hendrikkade
These towers were part of the stone wall around the city which consisted
of the defense towers connected by a town wall. The ‘Schreierstoren’
(Weeping Tower) was originally called the ‘Schreyhoeckstoren’.
As many women 'schreiend' (weeping) saw their loved ones sail away
from this place, and named was changed to the ‘Schreierstoren’.
Munttoren
(1620)
Muntplein
The ‘Munttoren’ (Mint Tower) was also part of the old
town wall in the Middle Ages. The tower received its name in the
disastrous year 1672. In this year, Amsterdam gained the right to
strike its own coins. In the guardhouse next to the tower, coins
were struck and hence the name ‘Munttoren’.
Churches
Nieuwe Kerk
(since end 14th century)
De Dam
This church can be compared with French churches and is built in
a Gothic style. Exhibitions, concerts and presentation ceremonies
are regularly held here. The ‘Nieuwe Kerk’ (New Church)
can be found on the Dam next to the Royal Palace.
Sint Nicolaaskerk
(1884-1887)
Prins Hendrikkade
The church building is a striking mix of baroque and neo-renaissance.
The church is situated on Prins Hendrikkade directly opposite Central
Station. The building is well preserved and this is also true for
the exceptional interior. The ‘Sint Nicolaaskerk’ (St
Nicholas Church) is still used as a catholic church.
Monuments
by Quarter
Jordaan
Westerkerk
The Westerkerk church with its Wester Tower is one of the best-known
churches of Amsterdam. As is the custom with Protestant churches,
it bears the name of the point of the compass where it stands, not
that of a saint. The design of the church has very few Protestant
elements, apart from the fact that it has no decorations at all.
Noorderkerk
The original design of the Noorderkerk is attributed to architect
Hendrick de Keysers. The church is built in accordance with the
principles of the so-called ‘central construction’. The
layout is in the shape of a cross with equally long beams. This
‘Greek’ cross was quite modern in the 17th century. The
design of this church on Noordermarkt was an example to many Protestant
churches in Holland.
Around
Dam Square
National
Monument
The National Monument on Dam Square was unveiled on 4 May 1956.
It was erected in remembrance of those who died during World War
II. Each year on 4 May many dignitaries, including representatives
of the royal family, commemorate the victims of the Second World
War here.
Narrowest
House
There has been quite a lot of debate over this but the narrowest
house in the world is actually near Dam Square! The house on Singel
7 is officially on record as the narrowest house in the world. It
is only 101 centimeters wide! However, it is the back entrance to
a house which tapers and which has standard dimensions at the front.
So really, the house only has the narrowest façade in the
world.
The narrowest house of Europe, however, is definitely located in
Amsterdam. The address is Oude Hoogstraat 22, between Dam Square
and Kloveniersbugwal. The house is only 2.02 meters wide and has
a beautiful clock gable.
Magna Plaza
When you walk in the direction of Spui, you will see Magna Plaza,
just behind Nieuwe Kerk. This magnificent, 19th-century monument
used to be the city’s General Post Office. Now it is a beautiful
shopping mall which is open seven days a week. The building houses
more than 40 shops and two restaurants which are clustered around
a spacious hall. The shops sell mainly fashion, deluxe articles
and gifts.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is located on Dam Square. Queen Beatrice does not
live here, but she does entertain her VIP guests in this palace.
The red carpet is rolled out and the flag flies on top of the palace
when the queen is entertaining here. Once the dignitaries have left,
your are welcome to come and take a look inside. The Royal Palace
was built 350 years ago as Amsterdam’s City Hall. In 1808 Louis
Napoleon came to Amsterdam. He was looking for a suitable place
of residence and saw the impressive City Hall. He kicked the mayor
out and had the offices changed into bedrooms, dining rooms and
ballrooms. After he left the building maintained its purpose. However,
you will see some testimony to the original purpose of this building
throughout the palace. Beautiful paintings and refined sculptures
refer to the managerial and administrative purpose the building
once had.
The ‘old’ Nieuwe Kerk
The
Nieuwe Kerk next to the Royal Palace is not quite so new anymore.
It was built in the 15th century. To be exact: on 15 November 1408
the bishop of Utrecht gave his approval for the construction of
a second parish church. The first parish church, the Oude Kerk,
is situated on Oudekerksplein Square. Since this church had been
built, Amsterdam’s population had increased quite a lot. The
ever-increasing wealth made it possible to build a new church. Fate
was not kind to the church. In 1421 a large part of the city of
Amsterdam burnt down. The Nieuwe Kerk also fell victim to this fire.
Reconstruction work was carried out until another fire in 1452 did
quite a lot of damage. However, it is not like the people of Amsterdam
to lose heart. The final result is a beautifully ornamented church
which does the city proud. It is quite amazing that the iconoclastic
fury of 1566 did not affect the church. However, in 1578 the Presbyterians
claimed the building. They were averse to frills and did away with
the statues and altars which had decorated the church for so long.
The church survived another fire in 1645. Unfortunately, the building
of the new City Hall next to the Royal Palace overshadowed reconstruction.
As a result, the church did not get a bell tower. The Nieuwe Kerk
had to make do with three small clocks which were mounted in the
tower, on the spot where the roofs cross.
Red
Light District
De Oude Kerk
This church is the oldest religious building in Amsterdam. Since
1955 restoration work has been carried out on the church. Archeological
finds during the restoration show that the church was originally
built in Roman style. When Count Floris V’s troops invaded
Amsterdam in 1274 and burnt down a part of the city, construction
work on the church was discontinued. Construction was not finished
until the beginning of the 14th century. The people of Amsterdam
finally had their first church. In 1652 a major fire raged through
the city. Miraculously, the Oude Kerk escaped unscathed. Unfortunately,
14 years later the church did suffer during the iconoclastic fury.
The church was plundered completely and altars and statues of saints
did not survive the fury. Shortly after the iconoclastic fury, the
church served as the city’s ‘living room’. Vendors
displayed their wares here and beggars and tramps passed the night.
During the 17th century the church was refurbished. The Vater Müller
organ, which dates from 1724, is quite famous. Many, mainly rich,
citizens had their tombs, chapels and altars built in this church.
One of the tombs is the final resting-place of Saskia, Rembrandt’s
wife.
Waterloo Square
The Waterlooplein Square was created in 1880 when two canals were
filled in. The then authorities decided that the predominantly Jewish
traders who had their businesses around Jodenbreestraat had to hawk
their wares on the new square. This is how the market came into
being. The Jewish market disappeared for good after the persecution
of the Jews in 1941. The market did get back on its feet after the
war, but never regained its former status. The new City Hall and
the Muziektheater are also located on Waterlooplein Square. The
theater presents ballet and opera. This earned the complex the nickname
Stopera, a contraction of the Dutch word for city hall and the word
opera. The impressive building was designed by Vienna architect
Willem Holzbauer and his Dutch colleague Cees Dam.
Jewish Historical Museum
Four former synagogues house the Jewish Historical Museum. The oldest
of the four synagogues was constructed in 1670. The architect was
Daniel Stalpaert. As the Jewish community continued to grow, a new
synagogue was built next to the first one. Not much later the third
synagogue was built, followed by the fourth one in 1752. During
the Second World War the synagogues were partly destroyed by the
Nazis. The majority of the Jewish people of Amsterdam did not return
from the concentration camps. As a result the synagogues were closed.
In 1987 the complex was rebuilt into the museum it is now. Glass
roofs link the four synagogues. Various exhibitions highlight the
history and culture of the Jews in Holland. The Jewish identity
and the war years are the topics in the newest synagogue while you
learn more about the religious aspects of Judaism in the oldest
one. The kosher coffee shop serves specialties from the Jewish kitchen.
Museum Rembrandt House
In the course of the centuries many things changed in Jodenbreestraat.
One thing never changed, however. Number 4 is the house where famous
painter Rembrandt van Rijn lived from 1639 - 1658. His studio was
on the first floor, his pupils worked on the second floor. Rembrandt’s
living quarters were on the ground floor. In 1908 the house was
restored and made into a museum. The interior looks exactly like
it did in the days when Rembrandt lived and worked here. The museum
boasts nearly all of Rembrandt’s graphical work. Some 250 etchings
and a number of drawings by the master are on display. In addition
to biblical scenes, landscapes, portraits and self-portraits abound.
Plantage
Hollandsche Schouwburg
At number 24 in the same street stands the Hollandsche Schouwburg.
This building has an eventful history. In 1893 it was established
as the Artis Theater. Until 1914 it was the center of theater in
Holland.
Memorial
During the occupation of Holland (1940 – 1945), the Germans
requisitioned the theater. Jews were only allowed to perform for
Jewish audiences. In 1942 the theater became the place where Jews
had to report in anticipation of being transported to the concentration
camps. The building is now a memorial. An illuminated wall lists
the 6,700 family names of more than 100,000 Jews who were killed.
The courtyard features a memorial and you can visit the exhibition
on the first floor. Admission is free.
Netherlands
Maritime Museum Amsterdam
One of Amsterdam’s most beautiful buildings is situated on
Kattenburgerplein. It is the imposing, former naval warehouse of
the Admiralty. Daniel Stalpaert built it in a mere nine months in
1656. The building now houses the Netherlands Maritime Museum. Scale
models of merchant ships, three-masters and medals recount Holland’s
naval history and the destruction of the Spanish Armada. Portraits
of naval heroes and original wooden figureheads complement the collection.
Museumquarter
Rijsksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is often called Holland’s Treasure Trove. It
is the largest art and history museum in Holland and is internationally
renowned for its collection. The heart of the collection are the
paintings from Holland’s Golden Age. The museum presents works
by Vermeer, Frans Hals, Jan Steen and Rembrandt’s masterpiece:
the Night Watch. The Rijksmuseum has magnificent collections of
silverware, Delftware, doll’s houses, prints, drawings, mysterious
Asian art and an extensive presentation on Holland’s national
history. The exterior of the Rijksmuseum is also worth your inspection.
The monumental building dates from 1885 and was designed by architect
P. Cuypers. The building has some lovely details, including tile
tableaus, statues and ornaments. Cuypers also designed the lovely
garden of the Rijksmuseum.
Stedelijk
Museum of Moderm Art
Just down the road, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art presents
contemporary styles. Impressionism, pop, and minimalism: the Stedelijk
Museum of Modern Art has got it. In this dynamic museum you can
closely follow developments of the second half of the 20th century.
The museum’s painting and sculpture collection, its drawings,
prints, photographs, graphic arts, applied arts and new media are
well known. In addition to works by painters such as Cézanne,
Chagall, Picasso and Monet, you can also enjoy presentations of
works by young artists. A part of the permanent collection is presented
in continuously changing presentations.
Van Gogh
Museum
The Van Gogh Museum boasts the most extensive collection of paintings
by this master in the world. More than 200 paintings by Van Gogh
are on display, as well as 500 drawings and 700 letters and documents.
These works yield a fascinating insight into the painter’s
life and work. The building, which dates from 1973, became far too
small for the many visitors it attracted. In 1999 the museum was
renovated and expanded and now has ample room to display its wonderful
collections at their best.
Stables
The building at number 40 Vondelstraat is the Hollandse Manege (Dutch
Stables). The architect is A.L. Gendt. He also designed the Concertgebouw.
The stables date from 1882. The metal roof is quite remarkable.
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna inspired the architect. Even
though the stables are quite old, they are still used and can accommodate
143 horses.
Glass-Walled
Church
The Vondel Church stands on an oval-shaped square in Vondelstraat.
Even though the church was built as long ago as 1880, it is still
exceptionally modern. This Catholic church, designed by architect
Cuypers, gradually fell into disuse. Some twenty years ago it was
sold for the symbolic amount of NLG 1. In the past years the church
underwent drastic renovations. Huge glass walls are a stunning feature
of the building. The former church now houses offices.
