Netherlands - Holland Guide

12 Pages·2005·2.455 MB·English

Amsterdam
Rembrandt’s “Nightwatch”
Don’t Miss These Amsterdam
Museums
Amsterdam, home to Rembrandt's Nightwatch and Van
Gogh's Sunflowers, and with more museums per square
meter than in any other country in the world!
The Rijksmuseum is one place that cannot be missed,
presenting the finest Delftware, a wealth of silver, icons of
Dutch history and of course the paintings by the great masters
of the 17th century, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Vermeer and
Van Gogh Museum
Rembrandt. You will love the Van Gogh Museum with the
world's largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh.
Another classic is the Rembrandt House Museum, which dates
from 1606 and in which Rembrandt lived between 1639 and
1658. The new Hermitage Amsterdam, located in The
Amstelhof, a 17th century building, exhibits a part of the rich
collection of The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
For contemporary pieces, a visit to the Stedelijk Museum of
Modern Art will still all your art cravings.
The number one attraction in Holland is the Anne Frank
House, a moving experience for millions of people from all over
the world. Situated in the center of Amsterdam, it holds the
hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during
World War II. The original version of the diary is on display as
part of the Anne Frank House's permanent exhibition.
Anne Frank House
Amsterdam
Canals: Old and New
Apart from art, Amsterdam is also famous for its canals. Acanal
cruise will give you some of the most breathtaking views of
Amsterdam. But there is also business on the canals. The floating
flower market is one of the most colorful and fragrant places of
interest of Amsterdam in all four seasons. It is unique in that the
merchandise is displayed on floating barges. This is a relic from the
days when the flowers and plants sold at this market were shipped in
from the horticultural areas around the city by barges.
Visit Amsterdam's newest canals on Java Island. Since 1995, four
narrow canals, Brantasgracht, Lamonggracht, Majanggracht and
Seranggracht, crisscross this island. The houses that were built along
these canals are quite extraordinary. Nineteen young and promising
Canal houses
architects were commissioned to create a unique concept for
contemporary Amsterdam canal houses. The only thing their designs
have in common is that each building is 4.5 meters wide and four to
five stories high. As unique and interesting as the houses, are the
nine bridges across the canals for cyclists and pedestrians. They are
true works of art.
Typical Amsterdam Quarters
Jordaan
After a gentle canal cruise, it is time to get on your feet again and
experience some quaint quarters that are typical for Amsterdam.
Soak up the atmosphere in one of the most attractive quarters: the
Jordaan, a maze of alleyways and narrow canals. Most of the canals
have been filled up over the years. The district was established in the
Red Bridge 17th century, as Amsterdam needed to expand. Many laborers and
craftsmen chose to live in this new area. And many immigrants found a
new home in the Jordaan. The low rents, as well as the pleasant
atmosphere of the quarter, attracted many artists and intellectuals at a
later stage. Very few of the original 17th-century houses have been
preserved. More than 800 premises in the district are on the National
Heritage list. Most of these were built in the 19th century. Do come and
take a look around the Jordaan. We are sure you will feel at home here.
Three Grand Canals
Typical for Amsterdam are the beautiful canals. Elegant mansions
stand along Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizergracht. In the
course of the centuries these houses have been made over to meet
changing tastes. During a walk along these canals you will see
beautiful examples of this. Quite a few houses are in Louis style; a
style which was extremely popular in the 18th century.
Brantasgracht
Amsterdam
Art and Antiques
Across the bridge from the Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s
nicest historical areas. Over one hundred specialized art and
antique dealers display their unusual and often very beautiful objects.
These range from archeological finds to contemporary art. The nearby
Spiegel Quarter is also an absolute must for art lovers. The Museum
Quarter is one of Amsterdam’s most stylish districts. The houses are
beautiful and the inhabitants are classy. The quarter also has great
cultural facilities and places of interest. The renowned
Concertgebouw is located in Van Baarlestraat.
Shopping Between Historical
Antique Shopping
Buildings
The Museum Quarter also boasts some of Holland s most up-
market shopping streets. The most exclusive of all is P.C.
Hooftstraat. Shop after shop offers the collections of internationally
renowned fashion designers, trendy leather goods, home furnishings
and jewelry.
Then there are the Nine Little Streets. When in the Golden Age the
old town area became too small, an extension was inevitable and
three new main canals were dug out: Heren-, Keizers- and Prinsen-
gracht. Between them cross-canals and streets: the Nine Little
Streets. The area provides a general view of the architecture of all
kinds of houses. In the neighborhood of this quarter are also the
Royal Palace, the former Town Hall, built in 1648, the Westerkerk
where Rembrandt was buried and the Anne Frank House. Moreover,
it is an exclusive shopping area with an unmatched range of shops,
studios, restaurants and hotels. Spiegel Quarter
Diamonds
Amsterdam is the place for diamond shopping. Every year,
Amsterdam welcomes over one million visitors who are
particularly interested in the fascinating diamond craftsmanship.
Amsterdam has been one of the leading centers when it comes to
polishing diamonds into the most magnificent brilliance.
The Amsterdam Diamond Group is the combination of the two
largest and most important diamond-polishing factories in Amsterdam.
At Amsterdam Diamond Center and Gassan Diamonds the
craftsmanship of the diamond polishers and goldsmiths bring the
beautiful world of diamonds alive.
Diamond
Flowers & Gardens
Bulb Field
Keukenhof Gardens
Holland truly is the land of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and many
other flowers. Every year, the Keukenhof Gardensshowcase a
huge flower exhibition from the end of March till late May. Hundreds of
glorious outdoor and indoor gardens create a colorful atmosphere.
Keukenhof has been an exciting destination for visitors from all over
the world for over 55 years. Its magnificent display of color, created by
more than 7 million tulips and other bulbs in bloom, gives you that
springtime feeling and lifts your spirits. It's an experience you will
never forget. Keukenhof is for young and old, gardening enthusiasts
and people who just want a pleasant day out. More and more people
are looking for fun and a pleasant atmosphere in a magnificent park
Keukenhof Gardens
setting. It is a place where you can take the most beautiful photos.
Flower Parades
Although the concept of a flower parade is certainly not limited to
Holland, you can easily say that nowhere else in the world you
see so many different floral processions passing through the streets
in so many different places. Each parade - called a "corso" - has its
own history and is typically Dutch. Every single one is a feast for the
eye, drawing tourists from home and abroad.
The 'Bollenstreek' (bulb-growing area) Flower Parade is the first
and biggest parade held in Holland every year, at the end of April.
Fifty years ago, initiators of various small parades in the villages of
the Bollenstreek decided to join forces and organize one big parade.
It was to become the calling card of the flower bulb culture.
The Flower Parade winds through the bulb region from Noordwijk to
Haarlem. In and around the Dutch bulb area you'll find a lot of interesting
cities, like Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague and of course Amsterdam.
Flower Parade
Flowers & Gardens
Flower Auction
If you’d like to see how 14 million flowers and 1 million potted plants
are being sold daily, come visit one of the two largest flower
auctions in Holland, Flower Auction Aalsmeer and Flower Auction
Holland. Aalsmeer is the ‘flower’capital of Holland and home to the
largest flower auction on earth. The complex covers some 250 acres;
the auction building alone takes up some 160 acres. 3 billion flowers
and 400 million plants are auctioned annually from some 8,000
nurseries! The visitor’s gallery allows you to witness the intriguing
procedures and speculate firsthand. Don’t miss the five auction halls
where 13 auction clocks operate simultaneously. Holland Flower
Auction is the second largest flower auction. 80% of the cut flowers
and plants sold here go abroad.
Flower Auction
Visitors are welcome at most auctions, but the two largest auctions
are best equipped for guests. Flower Auction Aalsmeer is the easiest
to reach from Amsterdam, and Flower Auction Holland, in the
Westland area (the Glass City), is near The Hague and Rotterdam.
Castle Gardens & Botanical
Gardens
Holland has 17 botanical gardens throughout the country, with the
most famous being Leiden's "Hortus Botanicus". It’s Holland’s
oldest (1590) botanical garden founded by Carolus Clusius, who in
1594 became the first to cultivate tulips in Holland. It’s a living
museum with fine collections of orchids, ferns, passi-flora and trees.
The Clusius Garden recreates the founder’s original 16th-century
design.
Hortus Botanicus, Leiden
Hortus Botanicus and Free
University in Amsterdam
Really worth a visit are Amsterdam’s two excellent botanical
gardens. "Amsterdam’s Hortus Botanicus" is an indoor and
outdoor tropical and subtropical paradise, containing 6,000 different
species of plants including palm trees, cacti and herbs. The Hortus
Botanicus of Amsterdam's "Vrije Universiteit" features a Japanese
bonsai collection and flesh-eating plants.
Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam
Culture & Tradition
Cheese Market
Indonesian rice table, Dutch cheese, cycling and
the traditional Queen’s Day and Princes’ Day
celebrations; all of these can be called typically
Dutch and showcase an authentic piece of Holland.
Cheese
After tulips and windmills, cheese is the next thing that comes to
mind when thinking of Holland. “Gouda,” “Edam,” and “Leiden”
cheeses are among the most prominent of all Dutch cheeses.
The Alkmaar Cheese Marketis unique in the world, and one of the
best-known sights of Holland. The market is held every Friday
morning at 10 a.m. (from April to September) in front of the historical
Edam cheese weigh house, in the pretty town center. The market derives much of
its appeal from the performance of the cheese porters. The old
cheese weigh house now houses the local Tourist Information Office
(VVV), a restaurant and the Dutch Cheese Museum.
Demonstrations of old crafts are given around the market square.
Indonesian rice table
The relationship between Indonesia and Holland has influenced
life in both countries. Indonesia, with its three thousand islands,
located ten thousand kilometers from Holland, used to be the
Dutch East Indies. After World War II, when Indonesia gained its
independence, many Indonesian Dutch - or Dutch Indonesians -
returned to Holland and brought their food culture with them.
Dutch cooking has been enriched by the influence of Indonesia.
The most popular dish is the Indonesian rice table, invented by
Dutch colonists. It consists of rice and several hot and cold side
dishes of meat, fish, chicken, vegetables, pickles, nuts, etc.
Indonesian food is available in most cities in Holland and
definitely worth a try.
Indonesian Rice Table
Culture & Tradition
Queen’s Day
Cycling
Holland has more bicycles than residents. And it shows! There are
over 10,000 miles of biking routes, with bicycle signs and bicycle
stops. Not only will you feel better, you will see more. You can rent
bicycles almost anywhere and they will take you everywhere. And of
course, the flat countryside is ideal for cycling. You will see the most
beautiful spots in Holland while biking around. Cycle past endless
bulb fields and wide rivers and discover the magnificent dunes along
the coast. Numerous bicycle routes have been mapped out through
woods, heath land and polders. Major cities, such as Amsterdam
and Rotterdam, are also great fun to explore by bicycle
Queen’s Day and Princes’ Day
Cycling
As from 1980 Queen’s Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands.
Unusually, the 30th of April is not Queen Beatrix’s birthday, but her
mother’s, Princess Juliana. In 1980 it was decided by Royal Decree
to make the day a national holiday in honor of Princess Juliana.
Queen’s day is a festive occasion and especially Amsterdam is
famous for staging an all out street party, which starts the night
before and lasts well into the small hours the next day. Dressed in
orange, a beer in hand and the national colors painted on their faces
people stroll through the city. On every corner or square you will find
bands and street artists playing. The Queen attends the festivities
each year in one or two places, which vary from year to year.
Traditionally, every third Tuesday in September on Prinsjesdag, the
Head of State, Queen Beatrix, travels in the golden Coach from the
Noordeinde palace to the Knights’Hall to read the Queen’s speech,
revealing the plans of the Cabinet for the next year. This is a festive
day. Detachments of the Army, Navy and Air Forces are lined up
along the route. From 8 p.m. the Binnenhof, the location of the houses
of Parliament, is the lovely setting for the performance of show bands.
Queen’s Day
Cities Outside of Amsterdam
Although Amsterdam is the number one city to visit
when in Holland, places like The Hague, Delft,
Maastricht and Utrecht are certainly worth a visit.
The Hague
The Hague is a great place for a vacation. The traditional seat of
Holland’s Royal Family and Government, The Hague never fails to
impress visitors with its relaxed and elegant atmosphere. And on top
of that, there is the coast, the seaside resorts of Scheveningen and
Kijkduin and the North Sea! This stylish city houses many museums,
parks and avenues, elegant palaces and parliament buildings, and the
historic town of Delft is only minutes away.
For an overview of Holland’s highlights, visit Madurodam, the largest
miniature city in the world. All Holland is famous for, is reduced to 1/25
of its actual size. Visitors can recognize different Dutch townscapes
Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery
and famous landmarks.
If you are interested in art, visit the Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery.
Housed in one of the most beautiful examples of Dutch classical
architecture, it is a favorite destination for many visitors with paintings from
the Dutch Golden Age, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
The Hague Municipal Museumis home to the largest collection of
paintings by Dutch-born abstract painter Piet Mondrian. The building,
designed by Dutch architect Berlage, houses an extensive collection of
modern art, applied arts, fashion and music.
Next to the Mauritshuis is The Binnenhof, a magnificent "Inner
Court," the 13th-century hunting lodge of the counts of Holland, which
is the center of Holland's political life and the official seat of
government. Since 1904, the beautiful Hall of Knights has hosted the
Queen's annual address (Prinsjesdag), the opening of Parliament,
official receptions, and inter-parliamentary conferences.
The Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice (better
Miniature City, Madurodam known as the World Court) is a trove of fascinating treasures. Not only
Andrew Carnegie, at the time the richest man in the world, made a
donation of $1,5 million, but every nation in the world contributed
towards the Peace Palace on Carnegie Square.
Delft
A15 minute ride from The Hague will take you to the picturesque
town of Delft. Acrisscross of canals, cobbled alleyways, classic
mansions, arched bridges and medieval buildings, Delft is one of
Holland’s best preserved towns. The birthplace of 17th-century
painter, Jan Vermeer, Delft is as striking as one of his painted
landscapes. After seeing Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’painting
in the Mauritshuis in The Hague, you can follow in Vermeer’s
footsteps with the Vermeer walk through Delft.
Afascinating place to visit is 'De Porceleyne Fles', the last remaining
Delftware factory from the 17th century. The world famous Royal
Delftware is still entirely hand painted according to centuries old
Delft Blue pottery
Cities Outside of Amsterdam
traditions and techniques. The Royal Factory offers guided tours, a
visit to the museum, and a showroom with wonderful products to
admire and buy. You can even paint your own Delft Blue tile during
one of the workshops.
The churches in Delft are filled with history and tombs. The New
Church, a late Gothic cruciform basilica from the 14th century, is the
home of the ornamental tomb of William of Orange, Count of Holland
and King of England (1689-1702). The Old Church, a Gothic church
from 1200 with a leaning tower, houses the tombs of Johannes
Vermeer, Piet Heyn, Maerten Tromp and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
Maastricht
The southernmost and sunniest city in the Netherlands, Maastricht, is
a splendid fortified city of Roman origin set on the river Maas. The
beautiful, unspoiled hillsides that surround Maastricht are home to
Maastricht
famous vineyards and provide the opportunity for many relaxing and
picturesque outings. In Maastricht lies the opportunity to enjoy the fine
art of living to the fullest. Architecture and history aficionados will not
be disappointed either. Maastricht has an abundance of ramparts,
caves, tunnels, grottos, museums and basilicas that will provide many
opportunities for fascinating excursions. For art lovers, there is TEFAF
(The European Fine Art Fair), the world’s most prestigious Art and
Antiques Fair. The Bonnefanten Museum is incredible and contains
a huge collection of archeological treasures from Maastricht and the
province of Limburg. The permanent collection includes a scale model
of the city and the old fortifications, church sculptures, works by Old
Masters and contemporary art.
Utrecht
Utrechtis situated in the heart of Holland and is one of the oldest Dutch
cities. The canals and wharves enjoy worldwide fame because no other
city has pedestrian wharves along its romantic 14th century sunken
canals. Utrecht is also renowned for its museums ranging from Christian Dom Church, Utrecht
art to street organs. It is truly a hidden gem. Visit the Rietveld-Schroder
House, one of the highlights of the city. Designed in 1924 by the
architect and furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld, the museum reaches the
peak of "De Stijl" architecture, popular in the early 20th century. Or climb
the Dom Tower, the oldest and highest church tower in Holland.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is one of the few thoroughly modern cities in Holland.
Located on the Maas River, it is the world’s largest port. The city offers
adventuresome modern architecture and delightful culture. There is an
abundance of attractions, festivals and museums. Rotterdam has a
swinging, young city culture. One example of thoroughly modern
architecture are curiously angled cube-shape apartments, which have
each been turned to balance on one corner on the top of tall beams.
Totally different is the Museum Boijmans, with its extensive collection
that ranges from the late Middle Ages to today.
Euromast, Rotterdam
Heritage Sites
Amsterdam by night
History of Amsterdam
From Fishing Village to Trading Port
Amsterdam’s history begins in the 12th century. What is now a
city was just a swampy area on the edge of the old Zuider Zee
and the Amstel River. Amsterdam developed around a dam in
the Amstel River. The old name of ‘Amstelledamme’is first
mentioned in 1275, when Count Floris V allowed the inhabitants
to transport goods free of tolls on Holland’s waterways. Around
1300, Amsterdam was granted a town charter.
In the course of the 14th and 15th centuries, the town
developed into an important trading center, mainly due to trade
VOC Ship between the North and Baltic seas and southern Europe. The
city gradually developed into a bonded goods market – where
products from different countries were stored, sold and shipped.
As money flowed in, class struggle intensified. The Reformation
grew out of a fight for power between the emerging merchants
and the Catholic-sanctioned aristocrats.
The Reformation and the early years of the Eighty Years War
(1568-1648) led to economic, religious and social unrest in the
country and the city. The Catholic town council remained loyal
to Philips II, the king of Spain. Many other major towns however
joined the Prince of Orange’s cause. The Calvinists took on the
imperial power of Spain's Catholic Philip II, and in 1578 they
captured Amsterdam from him. The following year Amsterdam
and seven northern provinces declared themselves an
independent republic - Holland - led by William of Orange, the
forefather of today's royal family.
The Golden Age
Amsterdam’s Golden Age started when trading rival Antwerpen
was taken by the Spanish and access to the sea was restricted.
By 1600, Amsterdam's ships dominated seaborne trade and
Rijksmuseum