Amsterdam, that is the Dam (square) and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Things to Do Tips

Centre of town is the “Dam”-square. Here used to be a dam in the river “Amstel” and the start of our nations capitol was a fact. Now-a-days this square is not only the centre of Amsterdam, but on certain days also the centre of our whole country. Royal highlights (like changes of the crown or – like lately – the wedding of crownprince Willem-Alexander are held here. The palace, a prominent building on the square, gets back then his official royal function. The new church (pressed in the corner right of the palace) is the place where the rituals are taking place then. On the 4th of May the ceremonies around the “monument” (white column with sculptures) are followed by almost all Dutch, in rememberance of all those who fell for the peace in the world.

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Address: Dam -
Website: http://www.damsite.nl/

The ring of canals within the centre of Amsterdam is unique in the world. Here it was that the small river “Amstel” ran into the appendix of the Southern sea, called “IJ”. A dam was created and a harbour was built. Slowly but steadily the “Amstel”-water was redirected through canals, the “grachten”belt was born. With the growth, both economical as in population, one half circle was overgrown by the next, and the next, and the next. Water was more important in Amsterdam then ground, as the warehouses main connection with the harbour were these canals. Now-a-days Amsterdam – as seen from the air (see transporttips) is a truly amazing sight. The pattern of canals that is running in wider and wider half circles is no-where else to be seen. The history behind it, especially the glory days in the 17th century tell the story of the town.

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Take a tour in the canalboats. It's the only way to experience the true Amsterdam as the canals were of great historical importance. Only few places on earth have this possibility. Personally I would recommend the Museumboat (main boatstop across the Central Station, next to the TouristInfo). This canalboat has six mayor stops near most visited museums. You can hop on and off the boat as many times as you want and can also endlessly make circles the whole day.

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The Royal palace was built between 1648 and 1665 as the cityhall of Amsterdam. The peacetreaty of “Münster” (1648) brought independence to The Netherlands (then called The United Provinces)and thus it called for erecting large monuments to show the world what “Holland” was about. It would become the largest governemental building within Europe at that time and it’s fundament rests on 13.659 poles. The “eight” world wonder, some people said, that would show the power of the city of Amsterdam. In 1808 The Netherlands were occupied by Napoleon and ruled by his brother “Lodewijk Napoleon” under the name “Batavian Republic”. Amsterdam became the capitol under his rule and he took the cityhall up as his residence. Thus it became a palace, something the Orange-family (royal family) after the return to a free country, did not change back. The palace became royal but is not anymore the home of our royal family anymore. Wilhelmina used it as working palace, but lived herself in "Het Loo" in Apeldoorn. Juliana had her palace in Soest and present queen Beatrix lives (and works) in The Hague. Under Juliana (1960) the palace was opened to public in certain events. However special events for our royalty still take place here. Like in February 2002 the wedding of crownprince Willem-Alexander with Argentinian lady Maxima Zorreguieta. On the balcony of this palace they gave each other THE kiss!

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Phone: +31-20- 6204060
Address: Dam 1
Website: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl

On top of the – now slightly modest looking palace – is a dome, with on top a windpointer in the form of a “Koggeship” (a small ship that was used in Amsterdam for the transport of goods from the harbour to the warehouses). This ship is a symbol of Amsterdam. Just underneath the dome there are a few windows, well, more lukes, from where one could see the ships arrive and leave the harbour to sail through the “IJ” into the Zuiderzee (Southern sea) and on to the rest of the world.

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Phone: +31-20- 6204060
Address: Dam 1
Website: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl

At some expositions that are held in the palace, it is opened to public. Whatever exposition it is, go inside to watch from the higher promenade to the mosaic works on the floor of the civilians chamber. Though the palace looks quite sober on the outside (but don’t forget that at the time it was an amazing construction), the interior is of dazzling richness. This central hall is huge: 120 feet long, 60 feet wide and 90 feet high (1 feet = 28,3 cm). On the marbel floor one sees the two maps of the world Western and Eastern hemisphere are shown and in it the colonial influencial area of the Seven Provinces. The hemispheres are mad in the 18th century, showing the paths that the VOC-ships sailed over the whole world in the 17th century. Once even more extensive then the English or Spanish properties (see General Tips - History).

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Phone: +31-20- 6204060
Address: Dam 1
Website: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl

The "Rijksmuseum" was build after two architectural competitions. The first didn;t have the right blueprint, but the second was won by P.J.H. Cuijpers in 1873. His name is attached as well to the Central Station (the styles show this clearly). Few years after the competition the building started and in 1885 the museum was opened. The museum is one of the most significant buildings in the town and it's contents attract many 10.000's visitors per year from all over the world.

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Phone: +31-20-6747047
Address: Stadhouderskade 42
Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl

Dutch painters are belonging to the most famous ones in the world and if you like their (and other's) work, then the Rijksmuseum is a must for you as being a visitor to Amsterdam. Masterpieces of Rembrandt, Hals, Vermeer and Steen, as well as many others are to be seen here. By far the most popular is the "Nachtwacht" of Rembrandt (van Rijn). This huge painting is known as being "un-insurable"!
Until 2008 the "Rijksmuseum" is changed and visitors might find certain paintings not present in the shrunk departments that are opened. Please, check the agenda on the website to prevent disappointments.
The "Rijksmuseum" also offers many other artforms and has a huge library counting no less then 250.000 historical books.

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Phone: +31-20-6747047
Address: Stadhouderskade 42
Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl

This “palace for transport of civilians” was the first station in The Netherlands that was constructed under architectural supervision. Before that engineers of the railways took this task. Amsterdam wanted however to create an amazing place for those who came and visited the town. Well, this has worked out very well, as the building until today makes many turn around when walking into town after arriving by train in our capitol. In 1876 it was constructed by the plans of P.J.H. Cuijpers (see also the “Rijksmuseum”) and is an example of old-Dutch styles (combined neo-styles of late gothic and early renaissance).

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Website: http://www.ns.nl

The building is 306 meters long and has on the backside a direct connection with water of the “IJ”. From the exit / entrance one immediately is in the centre of town. A walk over the Damrak brings you on the Dam-square. The palace of transport for the Amsterdam civilians also had a royal crown. The most right wing (cornerbuilding) is the royal waiting house. One still can see the wide doors that were made to make entrance of carriages and later cars possible.

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Website: http://www.ns.nl