Central station, Amsterdam

The starting point for touring some of major routes in Amsterdam is the Central station which was constructed over three islands.  Throughout the construction period, (1881-1889) it was accompanied by numerous controversies.  Its creator was Pierre Cuyper, who also created another Amsterdam edifice, the Rijkmuseum.  Pierre Cuypers, a catholic, was known as church architect for making about one hundred church plans in Netherlands.  This provoked the displeasure of the then predominantly Protestant public.  For most they resented the exaggeration and distate which is the opposite of Protestant tradition and culture of modesty and restraint.

The first thing that cathes your eye are the bycicles.  Once cars became a burden for the city, residents opt for bicycles.  Today there are about 500 thousand bicycles on Amsterdam streets and about 30 thousand more in its canals.

Sint Nicolaaskerk

The first church you come accross starting from Central Station is Sint Nicolaaskerk.  A catholic church built in 1887, on the spot of a secret catholic chapel.  In times of religious intolerance the catholic religion was banned and it was performed in chapels which were built in hidden places.

First canal that we came upon by the Damrak square we can see buildings which are slightly tilted forward.  It is not due to ground settling but were intentionally built this way because there was a winch at the roof top by which the goods were lifted from the boats to the building floors.  This inclining of buildings was the solution so the goods wouldn’t drag by the walls.

Some buildings have exaggerated inclination.

Oud Kerk

Gothic church Oud Kerk is the oldest church in the city, built in 13th century.  During next few centuries its architectural appereance was changing, to end up with what it looks like today. After the victory of Protestantism in the Netherlands 1578, it was converted into a Protestant chrch what it remained to be to this day.  Besides religious activities, today many cultural manifestations are held in this church.  Very interesting thing about this church is its location. It is located in the neighborhood Waleen, better known as Red Light District with lots of prostitutes.

Ons’Lieve Heer

Building Ons’Lieve Heer op Solder which is translated as “Our Lord in the attic”, is the only preserved catholic secret chapel.  This house was bought from a merchant by a wealthy catholic Jan Hartrman in 1661 and within built a secret catholic chapel where wealthy catholic followers served. Since 1578 the catholic service has been banned in Amsterdam.

D’Leeuwenburgh Huis

D’Leeuwenburgh Huis is a renaissance house dating from 1605 built by a wealthy merchant from Riga.

At the bottom part of the building can be seen the coat of arms of the city of Riga, two crossed keys above the castle with the lion within.

At Nieuwmarket square there is the oldest preserved building in De Waag.  It was built in 1488 as the city gate and together with the wall it makes the eastern border of the city.  After dizastrous fire, wood was forbiden to be used for construction purposes and was replaced by the brick.  Today only two constructions made of wood remained.  Executions were carried out in this building from the 16th century.  In the 17th lower levels of the building were used as warehouse while the upper floors were used by the Association of Surgeons.

Across the Nieuwmarkt and De Waag building you can see the second gate of the city named Schreierstoren.  All city gates consist of domes and towers that five them the appearance of fairytale castles.

Sluyswacht

By one canal is a house Sluyswacht from 1695 year.  Once used by the dam guard, today transformed into a cafe.  Besides its age, what makes it special is that it is leaned much more than famous leaning tower of Pisa. 

Behind the leaning house in the distance another city tower can be seen.   Montelbaansttoren, part of the external defense system.

Zuiderkerk, under construction at the moment, is the oldest protestant church in the city and was built during the 17th century after the Reformation victory.

Amstel river

Amstel river flows through the city and hosts daily large number of commercial and tourist boats and ships.  Once the river flowed into a bay that was a North Sea bay.  During the 17th century, the golden era of Amsterdam, the process of building artificial canals has begun.  Before the river Amstel flows into the city center it splits into numerous artificial canals which carry the water to the bay.  The bay is separated from the North Sea and the ocean by the great dam.

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum alike Central station was built in the Gothic-Renaissance style.  Both were designed by architect Pierre Cuypers.  This museum was originally designed around the famous Rembrandt painting “The Night Watch”, and the whole project is subordinated to this huge painting.  After the central part of the museum was designed, other wings were aded and the museum today holds about a million works of art while some eight thousands are being displayed daily.

Van Gogh Museum

Not far from Rijks museum, there is a museum dedicated to the famous Dutch- Van Gogh.  This imposing modern building was built in 1973 and today it keeps and displays about 200 paintings and 500 drawings of this famous artist.  However, during his life Van Gogh was not very popular among his compatriots.  His life, permeated with depression, alcoholism, relationships with prostitutes, misconduct provoked disgust and at that time no one could have guessed that one day this artis would gain world fame and to his glory a building like this will be built.

Parks in Amsterdam

Aside old buildings and numerous museums, Amsterdam has many beautiful parks to offer.  One of them is Oosterpark in which the Tropical museum is settled.  During its colonial period a great number of items was brought into Amsterdam from East Dutch India (Indonesia today), and are kept in this museum.

Another famous park is Vondelpark built in 1865 modeled after english parks.  Originally it was a private park for wealthy families, but during 60s it became the center stage of hippie revolution without any restrictions.  In 1972 as a result of this revolution first Coffee Shop in Amsterdam was opened.

Daam Square

On Dam square there is a massive white monument honoring of the Dutch killed in the World War II.

Also, on square Dam, gorgeous Royal palace from 17th century.

Regardless, we continue our route and behind the Royal palace arrive to the building Magna Plaza from 1899.