show!
Choose other city guides
Monuments in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, there is something to attract your attention around every corner; especially in terms of architecture. The most famous buildings such as De Dolphijn, dating from 1599, and the Bartolotti House built in the 17th Century for the richest merchant in town are both typically Dutch terraced houses located next to the canals. An even older landmark dating back to 1488 is De Waag – a remaining part of the original city walls, which used to serve as a gate and later as a weighing house. A diligent tourist should also visit De Nieuwe Kerk which has hosted royal ceremonies since the 15th Century and today mainly features various exhibitions. A different kind of attraction awaits you in the Heineken Brewery which houses a museum and, naturally, a bar where you can taste this fine local speciality.
|
Amsterdam ArenA
|
Address: Arena Boulevard, 29
Phone: +31 20 311 13 33
e-mail: info@amsterdamarena.nl
|
|
|
Website: http://www.amsterdamarena.nl/
|
 see map
|
|
|
The Amsterdam ArenA is Amsterdam's premier stadium. Originally devised as the centrepiece of the Dutch capital's bid for the Olympic Games of 1992 (which eventually were organised in Barcelona), it was designed by Rob Schuurman and Sjoerd Soeters as a general sports and events venue. Today, it's the proud home of the legendary football club AFC Ajax. At the time of its completion in 1996, Amsterdam ArenA was Europe’s first stadium with a mobile roof. The two giant arches of the roof are linked to two longitudinal beams, along which semi-transparent panels can be slid to completely close the venue. The closing operation time can be regulated and can take from 5 to 30 minutes. The system makes the arena a perfect venue for large events which can be held there regardless of the weather. The stadium can seat almost 52,000 spectators in two parallel audience sectors.
|
|
|
|
|
Blauwbrug
|
Address: Amster River at Amstelstraat
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Blauwbrug, literally meaning ‘blue bridge,’ is one of the most picturesque bridges in the Dutch capital. The traditional name of the bridge, no longer relevant today, refers to an older structure constructed on the site in the 17th Century. The original bridge was made of wood painted in blue, the colour of the Dutch flag. In 1883, the wooden Blauwbrug was replaced by a new bridge, a faithful copy of the Bridge of Alexander III in Paris. The contemporary structure is made of stone. Its bases are formed to resemble ship bows and the decoration of columns and lantern poles abounds in maritime detail and imperial symbols.
|
|
|
|
|
De Otter mill
|
Address: Gillis van Ledenberchstraat, 78
|
|
|
|
see map
|
|
|
An enchanting monument to Amsterdam’s early industrial past, De Otter is a traditional wood-sawing mill. Not only is it the world’s oldest surviving structure of this kind, but it’s also the only one still in operation. Nowadays, De Otter is experiencing difficult times; it can hardly operate as a proper mill anymore because the houses that surround it obstruct the free passage of winds. Thus, despite the legal efforts of its owners, the future operation of the mill is an uncertain matter.
|
|
|
|
|
Haarlemmerpoort
|
Address: Haarlemmerplein, 50
|
|
|
|
see map
|
|
|
The Haarlemmerpoort is the only surviving gate of the entire system of gates that used to surround Amsterdam. The most prominent of these included Utrechtsepoort, Leidsepoort, and Muiderpoort, all leading to cities indicated by their name: Leidsepoort sat at the beginning of the road running to Leiden, the Haarlemmerpoort led to Haarlemand. The tall-rising fortified gates were guarded entrances to the capital, which was contained within the walls until the mid- 19th Century. As Amsterdam began to rapidly develop, the gates and walls became useless and were promptly disassembled. The Haarlemmer Gate was spared, and in 1840, it was carefully restored in accordance with the Neo-Classical style by Alewijn. In the year of its refurbishment, it received the official name of King Willem I, but the locals continue to refer to it by its traditional name.
|
|
|
|
|
The Scheepvaarthuis
|
Address: Prins Hendrikkade, 108-114
Phone: +31 20 552 48 88
|
|
|
Website: http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/msp/scheep.h
|
see map
|
|
|
The Scheepvaarthuis, literally meaning 'shipping house,' is situated to the east of Amsterdam’s Centraal Station. Inaugurated in 1916, the neo-Gothic building is the work of a team led by the architect J.M. van der Mey. It’s not without a reason that visitors to Amsterdam often associate this site with the popular image of the Gotham City; it’s tall-rising, grey facade does indeed match the stylistics of Batman’s hometown. Originally built as headquarters of a large shipping company, the Scheepvaarthuis continues to serve similar purpose; today it holds a company handling local passenger transport.
|
|
|
|
|
Jan Schaefer Bridge
|
Address: Warehouse Willem de Zwijger on Oostelijke Handels kade
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bridge of Jan Schaefer is one of the symbols of Amsterdam’s outlook on the future. A unique combination of dignified tradition and optimistic progressivism, the imposing structure was inaugurated in 2001. Designed by Ton Venhoeven, runs across the 200-metre wide IJ Haven. Beginning at the head of java, it crosses the Willem de Zwijger warehouse on Oostelijke and runs on straight to the Dutch capital’s centre.
|
|
|
|
|
Magere Brug
|
Address: Kerkstraat/Nieuwe Kerkstraat
|
|
|
|
|
|
Magere Brug is a small footbridge linking the two sides of the river Amstel in Amsterdam. It stands out among other bridges of the Dutch capital because of its size and delicate structure, which have earned it the nicknames of Skinny Bridge and Chicken Bridge.
|
|
more
|
|
|
Rembrandt Tower
|
Address: Amstelplein, 2
|
|
|
Website: http://homepage.mac.com/hafred/PhotoAlbum24.html
|
|
|
The Rembrandt Tower is the highest building in Amsterdam. Completed in 1994, the tower dominates the city’s skyline with its impressive 150 metres of height. The original project of the Rembrandt Tower was part of the 1987 urbanisation plan of the municipal office, which included the construction of new office space in the De Omval area. Designed by the Skidmore, Owings&Merrill LLP team, the proud Rembrandt Tower is visible from virtually anywhere in the city. On a clear day, visitors who take a trip to the top can see the city of Rotterdam, located almost 70 kilometres away. The imposing neighbours of the Rembandt Tower are the Mondriaan Tower and the Breitner Tower, the other two parts of the original complex.
|
|
|
|