Waterloo Square in Amsterdam

Waterlooplein (Waterloo Square) is an interesting place in the centre of Amsterdam, situated near the beautiful Amstel River. Every tourist can visit the cultural venues or the daily flea market, which attracts almost everyone that passes by. The creation of the square dates back to the late 19th Century when the Houtgracht and Leprozengracht canals were built. Waterlooplein was named after the Battle of Waterloo that took place in 1815. The square became a marketplace when the city authorities made the decision to move the stalls of the Jewish merchants from the neighbouring streets to the square. The market disappeared and reappeared again after some years, but today it is available every day except Sunday and offers various goods (shoes, second-hand clothes, books, stamps and records, etc).

The impressive Stopera complex including the City Hall and opera building are also located on the square, the work of the Vienna architect Willem Holzbauer and the Dutch artist Cees Dam. Ballet and opera performances are held there, for which the building gained its name as a contraction of the Dutch word for city hall (stadthuis) and the word 'opera'. The Mozes en Aaronkerk church is also worth your attention when being on Waterlooplein. Culture is alive there - several years ago, the Jewish Historical Museum presented an exhibition of photographs and paintings, symbolising the Waterlooplein, including works by famous artists such as Wolfgang Suschitzky, Oskar Kokoschka and Max Liebermann. Among the well-known sights in the area of the square, the most interesting are the Rembrandt House Museum, the Hermitage Amsterdam museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the Jewish Historical Museum. You can contemplate panoramic views from the Blauwbrug and Magere Brug bridges that span across the Amstel River.