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Jordaan |
THE JORDAAN DISTRICT
The Jordaan was build at the large expansion of Amsterdam during the early 17th century, as a district for the working class and emigrants. It was a poor district with small houses and slums, every little room stuffed with families and a lot of children. The Jordaan is now inhabited by a colorful
Jordaan |
mixture of original 'Jordanezen', students, and well-to-do businessmen and creatives. |
Westerkerk |
WESTERKERK
The Westerkerk and the Wester Tower
are the subject of the lyrics of numerous songs. While Anne Frank was in hiding on nearby Prinsengracht, she could hear the bells of the ‘Old W
Westerkerk detail |
ester’ toll, which she mentioned in her diary. The Westerkerk church, and its Wester Tower, is one of the best-known churches of Amsterdam. As is the custom with Protestant churches, it bears the name of the point of the compass where it stands, not that of a saint. The design of the church has very few Protestant elements, besides the fact that it has no decorations at all. The Westerkerk held its first service during Pentecost in 1631.
At that point in time it was the largest church in the world ever built for the Protestant service. The church tower stands well over 85 meters tall. It proudly bears the imperial crown with the city arms of Maximilian of Austria. During the good season, it’s possible to climb the tower and enjoy a superb view over the city. |
Anne Frank's House |
ANNE FRANK’S HOUSE
Anne Frank was one of the Jewish victims of Nazi persecution during the Second World War. The building consists of two parts: a front house and a back annex. Otto Frank’s business (her father) was located in the front house. The uppermost floors of the back anexe became the hiding place. After more than two years the group was betrayed and deported. Anne and Margot (Anne’s sister) died in Bergen-Belsen in March 1945, only a few weeks before this concentration camp was closed. Otto Frank, the only survived member of the group, came back after the war. During the hiding period Anne Frank kept a diary in which she described daily life in the isolation and the fear of discovery. Anne's diary survived the war: after the betrayal, it was found by Miep Gies, one of the helpers. When it was confirmed that Anne would not be returning, Miep gave the manuscripts to Otto Frank. In 1947 the first Dutch edition was published. |
THEATERMUSEUM
Theatermuseum |
The Theatermuseum, set in two 17th century canal houses, features displays on Dutch theater through the years and includes artwork, set pieces, costume elements, design models, and so on. Various types of dramatic art are addressed, and exhibits even allow visitors hands-on experience in creating production effects. The building interior is (partly) in Louis XIV style. |
Egelantiersgracht |
EGELANTIERSGRACHT
Named for the eglantine rose, or sweetbriar, Egelantiersgracht is one of the city's most beautiful and tranquil canals, along which stand many interesting 17th-18th-century houses. It affords a tantalizing insight into the kinds of modestly elegant living quarters successful Amsterdam artisans could aspire to in the 17th century. |
Bloemgracht |
BLOEMGRACHT
The biggest of the Jordaan canals –the Bloemgracht- was known as the Herengracht (Gentleman's Canal) and originally was home to workers who produced dyes and paints. The three step-gabled houses from 1642 by architect Hendrick de Keyser at numbers 87 and 91 are jewels, and house a foundation established to preserve the architect's works. Their carved gable stones represent a townsman, a countryman, and a seaman. |
BROUWERSGRACHT (BEER BREWERIES’ CANAL)
The Brouwersgracht is situated between the Haarlemmerdijk and the ring of canals, containing spectacular warehouses from the 16th and 17th century. The Brouwersgracht was named after the many beer breweries that used to flank the canal. |
WESTERN ISLANDS
Located north of the Haarlemmerstraat, at the other side of the track are the Western Islands: Bickerseiland, Realeneiland and Prinseneiland, containing beautiful monumental warehouses from the 17th century. The most spectacular warehouses can be found on Prinseneiland, where the windows have large wooden shutters. The doors bear the names of the different warehouses. The Western Islands came into existence at the beginning of the 17th century.
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