Places in Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum offers a unique possibility to experience the art and times of Vincent Van Gogh . The museum houses a more complete and impressive collection of the artists works than any other in the world. Along with observing the evolvement of Van Gogh's art through subsequent stages of his life, paintings of his contemporaries can also be admired in the institution. The collection section is organized into three parts, featuring the work of Vincent van Gogh, the work of other artists and the history of the museum collection. Van Gogh's work is organized chronologically into five periods, each representing a different phase of his life and work: The Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise.

Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of art and history in the Netherlands, housing over one million objects. It is best known for the collection of 17th century Dutch masters, with twenty Rembrandts, works by Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The museum also houses art deriving from the Middle Ages and the 18th & 19th century. Another area of interest are collections of sculpture and applied art: furniture, glass, silver, delftware, dolls' houses, tapestries, fashion and other decorative objects made in the Netherlands and Europe between the medieval period and the early 20th century. The Print Room exhibits selections from the museum's vast, internationally famous collection of prints, drawings and photos. Additionally the museum presents a collection of Asian Art. The Asian Rooms offer work of art from countries such as Indonesia, China, Japan and India.

Rembrandt House Museum
The Rembrandt House Museum is located in the genuine residence of the famous Dutch painter. The intention of the museum was to reconstruct Rembrandt's life and his every day surroundings. Therefore the entire house is meant to give the impression that the artist has just left it. Amongst the rooms outlined with the artist's graphical work, are paintings of his friends and teacher. A room of special interest is the so called curiosity cabinet, filled with treasures Rembrandt brought from foreign journeys. Items from around the world can be found there, including stuffed animals, unusual weapons, plaster busts and colourful shells.

De Hortus
Amsterdam's Hortus (botanical garden) has from way back been known as the town's pride and joy - an oasis of peace and beauty at the very centre of the bustling city. The garden is almost 400 years old. Established in 1638, an herb garden established by Amsterdam's doctors and pharmacists, the Hortus has evolved over the centuries into a live museum with a unique range of plants from all continents. Behind the garden's monumental entrance, at the boundary of the city centre are six thousand different kinds of plants.

Heineken Brewery
The Heineken Brewery represents one of the achievements of the Dutch beer industry. Heineken beer is said to be the nation's pride and joy. The museum is located in a genuine brewery site. The original brewery, which this site hosted, dates back to 1867. It remained a working complex up until 1988. Today the brewery has become a museum where you can experience the history of the Dutch national beer, together with the tradition and craft of brewing. Visitors can explore the giant malt silos and brew house and discover the secrets of the pilsner beer, of which the Dutch are so proud.

Canals
Amsterdam, often called Venice of the North lies on approx. 90 islands, separated by some 100 kilometres of canals, linked by about 400 stone bridges. Amsterdam has been designed in a crescent shape, which is possible to observe only from a bird's eye view. The city's shape was established in the XVIIth century: Canals forming rings emerged and continue to be a permanent feature of the city. Streets and canals assemble the crescent and therefore entire Amsterdam.
Holland's canals serve a number of very important purposes. First they were used to drain the land so homes and farms could be established where once there was water. Second they provide a means of transport for goods from inland regions to the sea. Third they are homes for thousands who live on houseboats. Houseboats have become very trendy and can be seen on most canals in Amsterdam. Many of Amsterdam's canals were filled in around the start of the 20th century, mainly for sanitary reasons.
A canal cruise is definitely a recommended way to discover the city of Amsterdam.

Begijnhof
The Begijnhof is a courtyard, deriving from the early 14th century, a time of great prosperity in Amsterdam. The Begijnhof was a sanctuary for the Begijntjes, a Catholic sisterhood who lived like nuns, although they took no vows. Houses in Begijnhof are still occupied by single women. The beautiful houses are adjoined by neatly trimmed gardens. One of the buildings of the courtyard is Amsterdam's oldest surviving house Het Houten Huis supposedly built in 1420. Walls of the houses are lined with tiny masterpieces, tiles with biblical themes. The southern part of the square features a medieval English Church, standing tall with its original tower dated back to the 15th century. Relics of the Catholic past can be found in another sanctuary, the Begijnhof Chapel, a clandestine church, completed in 1680.