Once
you have gone through the different attractions and outdoor areas that Amsterdam
has to offer, there are many sightseeing points and delightful destinies pretty
near Holland's capital, scattered along the Randstad, a conurbation made up of
the most important cities in the country as far as population, politics and economy
are concerned.
The Randstad
The
word "Randstad" already gives a hint about its location: "rand"
means rim or edge, while "stad" is city or town. This urban area that
sprawls along the Netherlands' western limit encloses some of Holland's main cities
besides Amsterdam, such as Delft, Haarlem, The Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam, Utrecht,
Gouda and Dordrecht, where tourists may find sites worth visiting. Other relevant
centres in this conurbation are Alphen aan den Rijn, Nieuwegein, Amstelveen, Voorburg,
Capelle aan den IJssel, Katwijk, Spijkenisse, Vlaardingen, and Zaanstad.
This
area concentrates most of the Dutch population, with around 40 percent of the
inhabitants living in any of these cities. Even though they are totally in independent
from each other, they usually act as one when it comes to political or economic
issues, usually provoking the resentment of other areas in the country due to
the wealth and progress the Randstad is used to. Its main assets are Rotterdam's
port, with an intense commerce activity and the largest tonnage in the world;
the main airport in the country at Amsterdam's Schiphol; the capital city, which
is Holland's financial and banking centre; an ample agricultural belt; and last
but not least, the seats of government and royalty located at The Hague, which
makes it the political centre as well.
One way or another, the individual
towns spread along the Randstad each have a charm of its own to captivate visitors.
So don't hesitate to leave Amsterdam behind for a day or a few hours and enjoy
the cities surrounding it. Transport is not an issue to worry: the conurbation
is gifted with an outstanding system of road, rail and waterway networks that
will get you anywhere in a short time.
Delft
Delft is the city of pottery, a miniaturised representation of Amsterdam's
typical ancient areas, and at the same time, a crucial site for the Dutch Royal
Family, as it is here where its members are buried, in a tradition that goes as
far back as the 16th century.
Located halfway between The Hague and Rotterdam,
the city of Delft was founded in the 13th century and used to be a centre for
trade and commerce: butter, beer and cloth were the main products you could find
here, but soon pottery managed to beat them. No wonder this 24 square kilometres
municipality is known worldwide as "Delft Blue", due to the white and
blue tiles that are exported everywhere. This industry attracts many tourists,
curious to learn about its origins: the "De Delftse Pauw" and "De
Porceleyne Fles" are two factories open to visitors, and at the Museum Lambert
van Meerten an historical overview of the production of tiles is provided. At
the latter, however, you will also enjoy an amazing scenario: the mansion housing
the museum was built in the 19th century, and still preserves an ample assortment
of tiles, as well as tin-glazed earthenware and ebony-veneered furniture.
Delft
also features a typical Dutch centre, with really narrow canals and small merchant
houses recreating Amsterdam in its lowest proportions. This old centre is the
first sightseeing you might encounter once you leave the station: right opposite
it, you will find the work of Delft most famous inhabitant, the painter Johannes
Vermeer. A modern representation of his "Melkmeisje" (which stands for
"Milk Maid") is set in white stone on the crossing of Phoenixstraat
and Binnen Watersloot.
The sights continue around this old centre, with two
churches that will come into view right away due to their height. The Nieuwe Kerk
or New Church is placed at the Markt (the Market Place) and was built between
1380 and 1396. This is a really important temple for the Dutch, for it houses
the royal family's burial vault, where the members of the Orange House have been
buried since 1584. On this year, William of Orange, known as William the Silent,
was shot to death, and as the Breda burial place was in hands of the Spanish,
he was buried at the place he had chosen for his residence, Delft.
The other
important church in the city is the Oude Kerk, built in Gothic style in 1200.
Not only does it attract visitors for its outstanding tower, but it is also the
last resting place of Vermeer. Finally, the town's City Hall or Stadhuis stands
across the Markt, designed in 1620 by the architect Hendrick de Keyser's, who
was also responsible for the black and white marble mausoleum made for Prince
William in Nieuwe Kerk.
Haarlem
Located only 20 kilometres to the west of Amsterdam and a few steps from sand
dunes and the sea, Haarlem is one of the favourite places in the entire Randstad
to spend the summer, and therefore it becomes quite popular among Amsterdammers
and Germans who want to enjoy the beach in warm weather, specially at the coastal
resort of Zandvoort. However, its historical importance should not be set aside.
The
word "Haarlem" comes from "Haarlo-heim", which means '"place,
on sand covered with trees, higher than the others", and the motto of the
city is "Vicit vim virtus", which stands for "Virtue conquered
force" in Latin. This may have to do with the heroic origin of Harleem's
welfare. In 1219, the knights of Haarlem conquered the Egyptian port of Damietta
as part of the 5th crusade, and Count Willem I acknowledged them with his sword
and cross in its coat of arms. Soon afterwards, on 1245, Haarlem was granted city
rights.
The legacy left behind from the original settlement and these Medieval
adventures disappeared with the draining of the Haarlemmermeer in the mid-19th
century. Nevertheless, the historic centre still shows some typical features of
any Dutch old city: canals, "hofjes" and traditional houses, all of
this surrounding the main square. Restaurants and shops share this lively centre
with St Bavo's Church, a sightseeing must that dominates the area since 1313.
This
really bright temple with white transepts that stand as high as the nave was seriously
damaged by a fire in 1328, and had to endure 150 years of restoration and expansion.
The result amazes visitors, specially bewildered by the famous Müller organ
from 1738 that provides a soothing music thanks to its 5,068 pipes; in addition
to this, this instrument was played by two of the greatest musicians in history,
Handel and Mozart. The church also contains the burial vault of the painter Frans
Hals.
Another important square in Haarlem is Grote Markt, featuring the City
Hall, the Vleeshal and the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk, among other attractions. A
few blocks from here stands the Frans Halsmuseum, which used to be an almshouse
and orphanage: nowadays it contains important art pieces from the 16th and 17th
centuries, such as portraits, still lives, genre paintings and landscapes. Among
the famous artists whose works are present at this museum are Claesz, Jacob van
Ruisdael and Adriaen van Ostade. However, Frans Hals takes the lead with his portraits
of militia companies and regents. Other treasures in this museum are the Haarlem
silver and ceramics, a collection of period furniture, and an apothecary from
the 18th-century featuring Delftware pottery.
However, when it comes to museums,
bear in mind that Haarlem has the country's oldest museum: the Teylers Museum,
founded in 1784, houses fossils and minerals along with scientific instruments,
but it also boasts an outstanding collection of 10.000 drawings by Rembrandt,
Michelangelo and Raphael, among other 16th- to 19th-century famous artists. And
finally, contemporary art has its place in Haarlem at the De Hallen, a pair of
buildings in the nearby area, the Verweyhal and the Vleeshal, which exhibit pieces
of modern style and new artists born in Haarlem or surrounding towns.
Leiden
One of the cultural centres and main protagonists of the Netherlands'
history is Leiden, located on the Old Rhine, near the cities of The Hague and
Rotterdam. The charm of this city perhaps is born in the 16th century, when a
heroic action from its inhabitants enabled Leiden to gain its own university,
which many of the Royal family members have chosen to attend.
Hometown to a
number of famous painters, such as Rembrandt, Jan van Goyen and Jan Steen, this
municipality of only 23 square kilometres was also the point from where the first
settlers sailed towards America on the Mayflower, founding New Amsterdam a few
months later. The city or its people in fact, had a really relevant role during
the Eighty Years' War: at the episode known as "the Spanish siege",
in 1574, William the Silent decided to open the dykes in Leiden to scare the invaders
away; the city was flooded and the inhabitants starved for days, resisting with
great courage. This heroic behaviour was rewarded by William, who gave the city
a university, founded in 1575.
The event is remembered as "Het Ontzet
van Leiden" (or "The Relief of Leiden") and it is still celebrated
every October 3rd with a local feast that includes a fair, a parade, and some
typical meals such as white bread and hutspot. The latter is a stew that is said
to have been found in the Spanish garrison after the glorious victory.
The
Leiden University has been, since this episode, a great pride for the city, with
real genius graduating from its classrooms, like Descartes, the US president John
Quincy Adams and members of the Dutch royal family. Nowadays, students live around
the Pieterskerk, the area where the American Pilgrim Fathers chose to stay before
leaving towards Plymouth on the Mayflower. The area even possesses the Leiden
American Pilgrim Museum, located at Beschuitsteeg 9, where more details about
this historical departure can be found.
After this leading role in the Middle
Ages, during the Dutch Golden Age Leiden became an important centre of textile
trade. Weaving establishments flourished around the city, and products such as
cloth, camlet and baize gifted the local people with a wealth they had never known.
However, these industries were totally ruined by the 19th century and Leiden did
not experience much development in recent years: that is why its historic centre
is practically untouched, with its original canals and the greatest number of
old monuments in the whole country. Among these, make sure you don't miss the
"De Burcht" and "Gravensteen" fortifications, and the Hooglandsche
Kerk (the church of St. Pancras), from the 15th century.
As regards museums,
the most important in Leiden is the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum
of Antiquities), featuring the best archaeological remains in the Netherlands:
the main attraction in this case is the Egyptian mummy collection. The Stedelijk
Museum de Lakenhal (Lakenhal Municipal Museum) houses the few works by Rembrandt
preserved in the city; in addition to this, there is a magnificent collection
of pewter, tiles, silver and glass.
Meanwhile, at the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde
(National Museum of Ethnology) you will find testimonies from native cultures
in Oceania, Asia, America and the Arctic; and the Molenmuseum de Valk (Windmill
Museum The Falcon) detaches thanks to its Dutch typical features, from the wind
mill that houses the museum to the traditional neighbourhoods recreated in small
dimensions.
If you are looking for the perfect setting to enclose in your
souvenir photograph from Leiden, at this museum there is a really picturesque
panorama. Nevertheless, the best view is available from the top of the Burcht,
a fort established on the 12th century on an ancient artificial mound.
Rotterdam
The city that is mostly known in the Netherlands for its large port, has
contrasts to satisfy any tourist: a cosmopolitan, lively urban centre, Rotterdam
offers attractions that begin at its famous harbour and end at the old city centre,
while throughout the year numerous festivals are held to entertain young people.
The city's immediate neighbour is the river Nieuwe Maas, which actually contributed
to name it: "dam" refers to the dam that used to be placed on a small
river, the "Rotter", the original setting of Rotterdam. It was Willem
IV of Holland who granted it with city rights in 1340, and soon the port guaranteed
its flourishing as one of the main cities in the Netherlands. However, Rotterdam
had to endure hard times when it was destroyed by the German bombing in May 1940,
just a few days before the war reached an end in the country.
Instead of rebuilding
the original canals and old structure, the local authorities decided to start
from scratch, and therefore contemporary styles and details are scattered among
the few remains that survived the bombs. Among these modern incorporations, the
banks on the River Maas gifted the city with a futuristic skyline; but the greatest
development is without any doubt the Oude Haven (Old Harbour).
The place that
has become a landmark of the city is surrounded by districts in constant renovation,
such as Kop van Zuid and Entrepot, and features some of the sightseeing musts.
Piet Blom was the creator of the Kijk-Kubus or cube houses in 1984, one of which
is open to visitors. Placed on Overblaak Street, these curious dwellings are inclined
45 degrees resting on hexagon-shaped pylon. Another particular architectural attraction
in Rotterdam is the Museum Park, the so-called cultural heart of the city: with
five museums and sculptures scattered along the garden, it can be the ideal starting
point to get to know Rotterdam's passion for art.
The city that gave birth
to Erasmus is known for its peculiar taste when it comes to artistic expressions.
On the Willemsbrug, the Washing Line is a huge black sea-chain, with pieces of
sea junk hanging from it. This creation stands at the old red bridge that connects
the north of the river with Nord Island.
In order to admire these works at
its best, boat tours are the right choice. Spido Boat is one of the best services,
offering the Rotterdam habourtour, the Midweek harbourtour, the Lunch Cruise or
the Extended harbourtour. The two last ones only depart during summer, taking
approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes: in the case of the Extended one, it reaches Europoort,
the largest port in Europe, and the new flood barrier (for more information, the
Spido offices are at Willemsplein 85, Phone: +31 (0)10 2759988, website: www.spido.nl).
The Maas has accompanied the citizens throughout 700 years, dividing Rotterdam
in two: the story of this close relationship can be witnessed at the Prins Hendrik
Maritime Museum, located on Leuvehaven 1, only a stone's throw from the Coolsingel
and the Erasmus Bridge (for more information, call +31 (0)10 4132680 or visit
the website www.maritiemmuseum.nl).
Here you will be able to get inside a 19th century vessel, the museum ship Buffel,
and enjoy exhibitions on the present of Rotterdam harbour as well as some ancient
heroic voyages.
At the Netherlands Architecture Institute, meanwhile, the past
of architecture is revised: a modern city like Rotterdam needed to have such a
place, where the development of its amazing designs is analyzed thoroughly along
seven temporary exhibition spaces. One of the greatest works in this matter is
the Euromast, a building 185 metres high from where you will get the most spectacular
view.
In spite of these contemporary developments, Rotterdam also has an old
city centre to captivate tourists: Delfshaven is a tree-lined canal from where
the local Pilgrim Fathers left for America in 1620 and a plaque on the quay signs
the exact point of the departure. Nearby, you will find the Oude Kerk (the Old
Church), where these first settlers are also commemorated because this house of
worship was their last stop in Rotterdam.
The remains of the past culture can
also be admired at the city's various museums. In Delfshaven, the Historical Museum
de Dubbelde Palmboom (Double Palm Tree) rests in an old granary, and shows the
life and work held in the Meuse delta from as far back as 8000 BC to the present.
The Het Schielandshuis is a palatial mansion from the 17th century that was not
damaged by the 1940 bombing; therefore it is one of the few remains from the pre
war Rotterdam: in the inside you will find rooms decorated with ancient furniture
and ornaments, and an overview of clothing from the 18th century to nowadays.
Pieces of contemporary art and some works by Van Eyck and Rembrandt are available
across town, at the Museum Boijmans-Van Beuningen.
Finally, Rotterdam is also
a city of festivals. The most important one is held at the beginning of September,
when you should try to attend the "Wereldhavendagen" (World Harbour
Days): this is a three-day festival during which the harbour is honoured with
all sort of activities related to it. Meanwhile, "Streetlife" is the
event that brings summer to life and young people are its main attendants; also
in June, the city features the Dunya Festival (World Festival), at the Park near
the Euromast, where music is played and poetry and stories are read aloud. As
regards parades, there is one on the Museumpark, "De Parade", and the
other turns the whole Rotterdam upside down: it is called "Fast Forward Dance
Parade", held in mid-August.
The
Hague
An interesting story must be hidden behind the process that led
The Hague to go from a hunting ground of the Counts of Holland to the seat of
government. Although the capital of Holland is Amsterdam, this picturesque city
holds the main political offices in the country, from the Parliament and Queen
Beatrice's residence, to many embassies and international organisations.
The
foundation of The Hague as Den Haag took place in 1248 when William II built a
castle on the Binnenhof, the place where the parliament buildings stand nowadays.
He was supposed to become Holy Roman Emperor and with this prospect, he ordered
the construction of his residence for after the coronation. However, he was killed
before getting the crown and the remains of his unfinished castle became the Ridderzaal
or Knight's Hall, where the annual state opening of parliament is held and the
Queen gives her speech every Prinsjesdag (third Tuesday in September). The Binnenhof
is also the place where the De Witt brothers were lynched, accused of having conspired
to kill William of Orange; due to the importance of the site, guided tours are
organised on a daily basis.
The Queen's residence at "Huis ten Bosch Palace",
as well as "Noordeinde Palace" and "Kneuterdijk Palace", cannot
be visited, but a recent addition to The Hague's attractions is Voorhout Palace,
which now works as a museum: it is placed on the elegant Lange Voorhout avenue,
also featuring beautiful mansions and the narrowest house in the city. At the
Mauritshuis, that used to be a regal home, works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dijck,
Potter, and Jan Steen are exhibited, with Vermeer's "View of Delft"
as the main masterpiece.
An important museum in The Hague is the Gemeentemuseum
or Municipal Museum, housing the famous "Victory Boogie Woogie", by
Piet Mondriaan, among other pieces in an extensive modern collection. The building
itself attracts viewers: designed by the Dutch architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage,
it also provides food and accommodation. Linked to this museum you may find other
relevant sites: the Museon, a famous science museum; the planetarium Omniversum
IMAX Theatre; and the Het Paleis on the Lange Voorhout, which organizes during
the summer exhibitions of 20th century sculptures. Finally, at Panorama Mesdag,
you will find paintings in marine style from The Hague school, as well as landscapes
from Barbizon one.
During your stay at The Hague, you will surely not want
to miss the Court of International Justice from the United Nations, which represents
the city worldwide. This is located at Vredes Paleis (the Peace Palace), between
the Bosje and the centre town.
In spite of such transcendent offices installed
in The Hague, the third-largest city in the Netherlands doesn't own a grand old
city centre. This fact has a historical motive, though. At first, it was not allowed
to have a city wall, in order to keep the town small; when it was finally permitted,
in the 1500s, the local people preferred to spend the money on a city hall, and
therefore invasions were easily successful. The Hague was not named a city till
the French occupation, in 1806, and as a consequence it is often said that it
is a village more than a city. One way or another, at downtown you will find remains
from recent centuries, shops and small streets and squares spread around the palaces.
It is also known for the number of green areas available: there is a Japanese
garden at Clingendael and you may spend a whole afternoon at an ancient forest
if you are willing to travel out of town, up to Meijendael.
The Hague also
has a summer resort pretty visited by local and foreign tourists on holiday. There
are two district beach towns, among which the most famous and crowded in warm
weather is Scheveningen. Although it used to be a fishing village, nowadays it
comprises a huge resort, hotels and many beach cafés. One of the main attractions
here is the Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel, built in 1887 as a testimony of the times
when Scheveningen was the bathing place chosen by the European high society in
the summer season. It boasts a main salon with magnificent chandeliers and a glass
cupola, and nowadays it can become a real sophisticated outing if you decide to
have tea surrounded by such luxury.
In addition to this, at Scheveningen you
will find the Kuur Thermen Vitalizee, a spa with all sort of body and relax treatments,
and the Museum Beelden aan Zee, famous for its "Sculptures by the Sea"
exhibition, a collection of statues showing emotions underwater as part of the
so-called "silent sensation". The second beach in The Hague is Kijkduin,
located on the southwest: though smaller than Scheveningen, it is surely quieter
and favourite among local visitors.
A peculiar site you should not miss after
a stroll along Scheveningen beach is Madurodam, a miniature city that every member
of the family will enjoy, as its collection contains Dutch landmarks and the world's
largest miniature railway. The model of a typical Dutch town was built on a 1:25
scale in 1952, and since then it has received thousands of visitors marvelled
by the detailed representation. Among the traditional sights contained in the
model, you will find merchants' houses from Amsterdam, the Alkmaar cheese market,
windmills and ships.
As far as public events are concerned, The Hague also
offers a busy agenda, beginning on April 30th for Queen's Day. During May, check
the International Sand Sculpture Festival, and the North Sea Regatta by the end
of the month, along with the equestrian showoffs of the Hague Horse Days, organised
in the Lange Voorhout. In June a big free pop festival called Parkpop is held
in Zuiderpark, and early July features the North Sea Jazz Festival.
Utrecht
Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, built as a wooden
fortification in the year 47 by the Romans. Born as a border fortress, it became
a central religious city during the Middle Ages, with many bishops having their
residence here and more than 40 churches installed along its streets.
The word
"Uthecht" derives from the original Roman name, "Traiectum"
("fordable place"), and the addition of "Ut", which means
"near to the mouth", due to its short distance from the river Rhine.
Finally, in 1122 Utrecht was granted with city rights. The most important sightseeing
point has a lot to do with this spiritual function of the city. The Domtoren or
Dom Tower of Utrecht is the cathedral tower, measuring over 112 metres high: this
is the highest point in the whole country, so, if you are willing to ascend the
465 steps, it provides the best of the views. On a clear day, you may even get
to see Amsterdam from here. Apart from the height, the temple boasts over 50 bells,
so it holds another record: the largest musical instrument in the entire Netherlands.
In addition to this, an exhibition inside the Domkerk shows sketches from before
and after a tornado that destroyed many of the historical sites in 1674.
Utrecht
is also an important city in the Netherlands when it comes to education. The Utrecht
University is one of the largest in the country, and the students really provide
a unique charm to its many trendy shops and cafés.
Castles, forests
and arboretums are part of the typical landscape you will find along the city's
streets. Walking is the ideal mean of transportation, as Utrecht is pretty comprised
and every destiny seems to be a few steps away. But shopping is also a main activity
no tourist should miss during his visit. Hoog Catharijne takes the lead, being
the largest covered shopping centre in the country. Although it is an inner attraction,
its many winding streets have been considered public spaces, just like the streets
outside. In spite of its labyrinthine layout, that usually distracts foreigners,
if you follow the signs indicating "centrum" (town centre), eventually
you will end at Achter Clarenburg.
A totally different target for shopping
is available along the small streets besides the canals, especially on Oudkerkhof.
Here you will find designer shops and boutiques where luxury is the main theme.
La Vie is another shopping centre with the same spirit, located on Lange Viestraat.
Menawhile, bargains are displayed along different markets in the city, such as
Vredenburg, St Jacobsstraat and the flower and plant markets along Janskerkhof
and Oudegracht; bear in mind that these are open on different days of the week.
Outside the Domtoren, the Pandhof is a delightful garden where to rest after
the ascent to the top, featuring many medicinal herbs and a beautiful statuette.
Another outdoor place is the Oudegracht, the canal that divides the city in two,
which flourishes among houses and cute shops on the cellars, thanks to the water
running lower than the street level. To enjoy voyages along the canal, there are
regular boat trips, and also "waterfietsen" (the local name for pedal
boats) are available for rent.
The city's religious history is the main feature
highlighted at the various local museums: at the Museum Catharijnecovent, placed
in a charming medieval building, you will learn a lot from an interesting overview,
and at the vaulted cellar or "bogenkelder", a real treasure is kept
at the old Bibles with silver cast covers. Music instruments from the 17th century
can be found at the Nationaal Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement, and the Universiteitsmuseum
bases its collections and exhibitions on the interaction between science and education,
as well as the combination of past and present. Finally, the Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum
(Dutch Railway Museum) you can get a glimpse of the ancient locomotives, and even
drive on an intercity train simulator.
Utrecht has an intense nightlife as
regards jazz and blues rhythms, especially on weekends. The Jazz Festival is held
in April, as well as the Blues Roots, before the biggest celebrations organised
for Queen's Day on April 30th. During summer, by the end of August you will be
able to attend the Midsummer Night's pop and classical concert, and the Festival
of Music.
Once you have indulged the many attractions in Utrecht, try the
outskirts of the city, where you will be amazed by the medieval fortresses. The
Zuylen Castle or Slot Zuylen on Tournooiveld 1, Oud Zuilen, features enchanting
ornamental waterfalls and gardens, while the Kasteel Groeneveld, north-east of
Utrecht, offers concerts and exhibitions on its marvellous gardens. Kasteel Huis
Doorn (Doorn Castle) is a living testimony of the royal lifestyle at the end of
the 19th century and last but not least, Kasteel de Haar, in Haarzuilens, seems
to have come right out of a fairy-tale.
