Tag: netherlands

Amsterdam:

Funky Fact: Dutch men are among the tallest in the world.

1. Oifantsbrug (Elephant Bridge)

2. I Amsterdam Sign

3. Rijksmuseum Sculpture Garden

4. Rijksmuseum

5. The Oude Church

6. Heineken Brewery

7. De Gooyer Molen (Windmill)

8. The Red Light District

9. Bloemanmarkt

10. Canal Boat Life

11. Anne Frank House

12. Homomonument (LGBT Memorial)

13. Rembrandtplein (The Nightwatch)

14. Memorial to Auschwitz Victims

15. Street Poetry

1. Oifantsbrug (Elephant Bridge)

Also called the 1957 Bridge, it crosses over the Singelgracht. Interestingly enough this and the sup pounding bridges are names after animals in the nearby Artis Royal Zoo.

2. I Amsterdam Sign

The most popular #selfie spot in the city was outside the Museumplein until 2018 when they were moved due to a city council initiative to reduce the crowding. They now move from place to place and are currently at the main entrance of Schiphol airport.

3. Rijksmuseum Sculpture Garden

The museum has a ‘green outdoor gallery’ with rotating sculptures, a water maze and a stunning 19th century glass greenhouse.

4. Rijksmuseum

A must see museum for art lovers. This place is home to 800 years of Dutch art. There are works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and even Van Gogh.

Museum Webpage and Information: Rijksmuseum

5. The Oude Church

Amsterdam’s oldest building this church is from 1213. Be sure to check out the gleaming organ inside known for its unique sound.

Webpage and Information: Oude Church

6. Heineken Brewery

The famous Dutch beer has a fantastic tour in its old brewery. This interactive and immersive experience ends with a tasting. The brewer opened in 1864 and has grown to be one the largest breweries in the world.

Webpage and Information: Heineken Brewery

7. De Gooyer Molen (Windmill)

The tallest windmill in the Netherlands, its conveniently located in the city and is registered as a national Historic monument. its the last of 26 mill that stool around the city and dates back to the early 1600s.

8. The Red Light District

Well, its an interesting experience. Mostly nude ladies stand in tiny windows waving and smiling to groups of oogling men. Prostitution is legal here and has been since 1811. Promoting prostitution or such services in the street is illegal and come with a fine, workers must stay behind the windows while working.

9. Bloemenmarkt

Here floats the worlds only tower market on the waters of the Singel Canal. This floral haven has been around since 1862. Most shops sell souvenirs and flower bulbs as well as stunning bouquets.

Information: Bloemenmarkt

10. Canal Boat Life

With over 60 miles of canal waterways in Amsterdam, its the prefect place to live on a longboat (canal boat). The city has over 2,500 live aboard houseboats, some you can even rent out for a night of your stay.

11. Ann Frank’s House

This is where the famed young author Ann Frank lived and hid behind a bookcase from the Nazi doing World War II. This is now a museum with over a million visitors a year.

Webpage and Information: Ann Frank’s House

12. Homomonument (LGBT Memorial)

In 1987, designer Karin Daan unveiled a commemoration art piece to the world. This piece recognizes the struggle and persecution of the LGBTQA+ community. An arial view of the piece show the 3 sides of a pink triangle.

13. Rembrandtplein (The Night Watch)

A cast iron portrait of Rembrandt stands over character from his painting The Night Watch. This 22 statues have reportedly being removed by the artist and only the main Rembrandt can be seen. The artist and city could not reach an agreement on the price to rent the statues or to buy them from the artist for over a 1.3 million.

14. Memorial to Auschwitz Victims

A stunning and sorrowful mirror and glass work of memorial art can be found in the Wertheimpark. The memorial opened in 1977 and was expanded to the present day versions. Some of the sad text in the monument reads: “…more than 107,000 Jews deported from the Netherlands. Only 5,200 survived the Nazi concentration camps and returned...”

15. Street Poetry

A sorrowful street poem on the high facade of an old orphanage by poet Joost van den Vondel, 1634.