Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and one of the most significant historical cities in Europe. Someone comes here for good shopping, others are eager to see the unique museum collections, and others are attracted by the availability of soft drugs. Some dream of getting to the Red Light District as soon as possible, and someone - to a wild nightclub. Romantics enjoy strolls along the medieval streets along the picturesque canals, and young people enjoy the atmosphere of love of freedom.
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| Amsterdam Netherlands |
Basic moments
Amsterdam is located in the northwest of Holland at the mouth of the rivers Amstel and IJ. The name of the city comes from the words Amstel and Dam, which means "dam on the river Amstel". The first mention of Amsterdam dates back to 1275 when there was a modest fishing village in its place, which, thanks to the built dam, then turned into a port.
In the 16th-17th centuries, Amsterdam became a world-class trading center. In the next two centuries, the city had to fend off the claims of France and England. In the XVIII century, Amsterdam was captured by France, and many buildings were destroyed during this period. From the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, the city was in decline, which continued until the end of the Nazi occupation.
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| Amsterdam Netherlands |
Today's Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city, a major cultural and financial center with a population of about 814,000 people. The Dutch capital is a city that has developed immunity to racial, sexual, and religious discrimination, in which representatives of almost 200 nationalities coexist peacefully.
Amsterdam is located 4 meters below sea level, and all of its buildings are built on huge piles. The city is called the "Venice of the North" - within the boundaries of Amsterdam, there are 150 canals connected by 1200 picturesque bridges. Almost 3,000 houseboats are moored along the banks of the canals, where comfortable apartments are equipped. Such dwellings on the water are official, each has a mailing address.
The climate of Amsterdam is affected by its proximity to the sea. The city is often dominated by the wind, driving rain clouds. Summers are warm, but without sweltering heat, the average temperature is from +18 °C to + 22 °C. Winters are windy, but not frosty, the average January temperature is around zero. Autumn is usually foggy and rainy. Amsterdam has a high humidity of 80%.
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| Amsterdam Netherlands |
Sights of Amsterdam
Dam Square with historical buildings located on it is the main square of Amsterdam, the venue for large-scale events and festivals. The court has nothing to do with the ladies - its name comes from the word "dam". Crowds of tourists come here to look at the Royal Palace, the residence of the Dutch queen. Some rooms of the palace are available for inspection, except for those days when official receptions are held in it.
The western part of the square houses the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the War Memorial, and the New Church with impressive facades.
Rembrandt Square attracts guests of Amsterdam with many bars, summer cafes, and famous discos; many are curious to see Europe's largest LCD screen. The square is decorated with a composition of the artist's statue and twenty-two bronze figures, personifying the characters of Rembrandt's famous painting "The Night Watch". Those wishing to touch the life and work of the artist should go to the Jodenburt quarter, where his House Museum is located.
The concentric canals that line the city's borders and lead to the Singelgracht are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 16th-17th centuries, local swamps were drained and a single architectural ensemble was built in their place, which was considered the standard of urban planning for many years. Today, the channels appear before us in their original form.
One of the symbols of Holland, windmills, can be admired in the vicinity of Amsterdam, where 8 of these colorful buildings built in the 19th century have been preserved. The Molen Van Sloten mill is open daily from 10.00 to 16.00. In the brewery next to the Fuenmolen mill, you can taste beer brewed according to traditional Dutch recipes. The mill is available for inspection, and every first Saturday of any month it demonstrates its work.
The picturesque place of Vondelpark is famous for the fact that in the evenings you can have sex here.
The entire Singel Canal is saturated with the fragrant aromas of the Floating Flower Market, where tourists buy bulbs of various varieties of tulips in large quantities. Nearby are the Torture Museum and the Coin Tower.
The buildings of the Amsterdam Defense Line are visible throughout the city. All Line forts are historical monuments and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
On the famous Museum Square in Amsterdam, you will find four museums at once: the Diamond Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the City Museum of Modern Art, and the Rijksmuseum.
In front of the Rijksmuseum, the two-meter red and white letters of the slogan “I Amsterdam” flaunt, a modern landmark of the city, which appeared in 2004. This expression was to the liking of everyone who shares the liberal spirit of the Dutch capital. In 2012, this slogan also appeared at Schiphol Airport.
You can get to the square by taking trams No. 2, 3, 5, 11, and 12 at the Central Station.
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| Amsterdam Netherlands |
Also worth visiting are the Amsterdam Historical Museum; the House-boat Museum, which gives an idea of life in a house-boat; the Maritime Museum, where all exhibit ships are presented in full size; Nieuwe Kerk - a venue for exhibitions and concerts of organ music; Marijuana Museum - an exhibition of various varieties of hemp and products made from it; Heineken Brewery Museum with beer tasting.
Men from all over the world rush to the Red Light District, to the exhibition of female charms and for carnal pleasures. Red light pours from large display windows, in which commercial sex workers display the goods with their faces. In addition to women, there are other interesting places in the quarter - the Gothic Oude Kerk church, the Vodka Museum, the Sex Museum, and the Casa Roso theater, which gives erotic performances. Getting here is easy - you need to walk from the Central Station along Damrak Street. After passing the Waterbus pier, turn left, and after a block, you will be there.
While strolling along Damrak Street, linger in this amazingly beautiful place, where multi-colored colorful houses stand right in the water. Take a look at the shops on this street - you will be delighted with the prices of shoes, clothes, and souvenirs.
The famous landmark of the city is the Begeinh nuns' orphanage, located next to Spöy Square. In the courtyard of the shelter is the oldest building in the Dutch capital - Wooden House No. 34, built in 1470.
A book fair is held in Spui Square on Fridays, and on Sundays, in this colorful place, you can buy paintings by local artists.
At the Gassan Diamonds Diamond Factory, you can see the process of diamond birth. Entrance to the factory is free, and in the store located here, you can buy a gem.
To enjoy the typical city views of Amsterdam, head to the Jordaan district - you will be enchanted by its streets, courtyards, and unique shops. The area is home to one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam - the Anne Frank House, dedicated to a Jewish girl and her diary, which she kept during the German occupation.
The most popular holiday destination for citizens and tourists is the Amsterdam Forest, a huge park with a lake, boat routes, and bike paths.
On the three roofs of the River Station, there is the largest bicycle parking in the world.
Football fans will be interested to see the home arena of the club "Ajax" - "Amsterdam Arena", located next to the metro stations Bijlmer and Strandvliet.
Thousands of bicycles are a characteristic sign of Amsterdam. Whatever models you see on the streets of the city - antique cars, fancy sports bikes, cargo tricycles.