What is the name of the central square of Amsterdam? What is the name of the central square of Amsterdam where the Royal Palace is located?
Dam Square is one of the most important and famous places Amsterdam, which hosts numerous cultural events. It has a vague rectangular shape, extending about 100 meters from north to south and about 200 meters from west to east. The square connects Rokin and Damrak streets, which run along the Amstel River - from railway station to Monetnaya Square. Northeast of Dam Square is the Red Light District. In its western part there is a neoclassical Royal Palace, which from 1655 to 1808 acted as the city hall building, and after that it was converted into a royal residence.
One of the main attractions of the square is the National Monument - a memorial in memory of the people who died during the Second World War. Every year on May 4, a national ceremony is held at this monument to commemorate the victims of conflicts. The author of this unique monument is Jacobus Oud, a great Dutch architect. The central element of the structure is a conical concrete column with a height of 22 meters. On its front side there is a bas-relief of De Vrede, consisting of four chained male figures that symbolize the suffering of prisoners of war.
Coordinates: 52.37300900,4.89299200
Spey Square
The Spey is a square in the center of Amsterdam.
Initially, this was the name of the river that washed Amsterdam from the south and formed the southern border of the city until 1425.
In 1882 the Spey was filled in and turned into the square we now know. The square underwent reconstruction in 1996 and is now practically free of vehicles.
Spey is a real paradise for book lovers, there is a weekly book market here on Fridays, there are also many bookstores, among which are the academic Athenaeum Bookstore, a children's book store and two English-language literature stores.
Every Sunday an art market is organized here.
There is a statue of Liverdier on the Spey.
Coordinates: 52.36878700,4.89010600
Museum Square
Museum Square is one of the largest and most famous squares in Amsterdam, getting its name due to the fact that it is here that four famous museums are located: Rijksmusem (Netherlands State Art Museum), Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam City Museum) and the Diamond Museum.
Museum Square was founded at the end of the 19th century on the site where the first International Colonial Exhibition took place in 1883. Those who like to walk among museum exhibits, listen to fascinating stories from tour guides, and immerse themselves in the history of the city’s development, its life and culture, feel great here. Various public events are also held on the square: festivals, holidays, demonstrations, etc.
In 1999, a large-scale reconstruction of the square was carried out. The author of the new project is Swedish landscape architect Sven-Ingvar Anderson. As a result of the transformations, underground parking and a supermarket appeared on the square, and the pond located here turns into an artificial skating rink in winter.
Coordinates: 52.35795700,4.88237600
Rembrandt Square
One of the central squares of Amsterdam is called Rembrandtplein and is dedicated to the work of Rembrandt van Rijn himself. In the center of the square, on a large lawn, there is a monument to the artist, and at its foot, on fine days, local residents and guests of the city arrange entire picnics and sunbathe.
Rembrandt Square became famous as one of the attractions when, in 2008, for the 400th anniversary of the artist, a sculptural composition of 22 bronze figures depicting characters from the painting “Night Watch” was installed. This gift was given to the city by two Russian sculptures and artists, Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov. A year later, the composition was sent to New York, and a year later it was already in the courtyard of the Museum fine arts them. A.S. Pushkin will continue to be exhibited in several more cities around the world.
Rembrandtplein is located in the liveliest part of Amsterdam, with many cozy cafes and shops nearby. At night, many clubs, discos and bars are open here, so life does not subside until the morning.
Coordinates: 52.36611100,4.89666700
Leidseplein area
Leidseplein, located at the southern border of the Grand Canals, is the center of the tourist hotspot, where visitors wander in crowds and seething night life. Leidseplein is also quite lively during the day, with street performers and musicians performing there. On the square itself and the streets adjacent to it there are many bars, restaurants, street cafes, theaters, and dance clubs.
In general, Leidseplein is a noisy and dusty place, although it is called the most picturesque square in the city. Amsterdam residents themselves try to avoid it. Therefore, the number of tourists here always exceeds the number local residents. And most of the signs and signs here are made in English language- to make it easier for foreigners to navigate the variety of bars and restaurants.
Coordinates: 52.36441700,4.88274100
Dam Square
The central square of Amsterdam, where famous buildings are located and numerous events are held. One of the most famous and important places in the city.
The area has the shape of a rectangle, extending approximately 200 meters from west to east and 100 meters from north to south. It connects the Damrak and Rokin streets, running along the direction of the Amstel River from the Central station to the Müntplein and the Münttoren tower.
Here are such famous city attractions as the Royal Palace, the Nivier Kirk, Madame Tussauds, and the national monument (white stone pillar), erected in 1956 in memory of the victims of World War II. Also located on the square are the Grand Hotel Krasnapolski and the prestigious department store De Bijenkorf.
Dam Square has several stops passing through it tram lines. At the end of the 19th century (when the horse tram still existed), Dam Square was the main center of Amsterdam's tram service. After 1900 this function was taken over by Stationsplein.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Amsterdam's main square became a "national" square, known to almost all residents of the Netherlands. Demonstrations and various public events, including many rallies, were often held here.
Coordinates: 52.37275300,4.89230600
Spey Square
Speuy Square is one of the central squares of the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Its shape is quite asymmetrical, since until the end of the 19th century there was a reservoir here, limiting the city in the south.
Spey Square was formed in 1882. With the construction of the new canal, now located in the outer ditch around Amsterdam, the need for a spillway in the south of the city disappeared, and the reservoir was filled in, forming a square in its place. In 1996, Speuy Square was turned into a pedestrian zone, and since then, every Friday a book fair and meeting of book lovers from all over Amsterdam have been organized here. At this fair you can often meet antiques dealers. And on Sundays, city artists put up their paintings for sale here.
The square contains many architectural monuments of the city. It is worth noting the ancient Lutheran Church of the 17th century, the House of the Maidens - a former orphanage for girls, and now the University of Amsterdam built in 1780, the Helios house in the art nouveau style of the late 19th century. In the center of the square there is a statue of a teenage boy nicknamed “Cutie” - this is the spirit of the square, symbolizing the resilient people of Amsterdam. There is a beer restaurant on the square where you can taste delicious local beer, as well as imported varieties from other countries.
Coordinates: 52.36861100,4.88944400
Sights of Amsterdam
Dam Square is considered the heart of Amsterdam. You've probably already imagined representatives of the fair sex leisurely strolling along the paving stones? It’s not worth it, they have nothing to do with it at all - the name of the square appeared thanks to the dam on which it is located. The dam was built on the Amstel River back in the 13th century; it connected its banks and was an important social and economic facility in the Netherlands.
The square is adjacent to the busiest and largest streets of the city - Demrak Boulevard, Rokin, Nieuwendijk, Damstreet and others, and the main transport hub of the capital is only 700 meters from here. The square itself is a rectangle of 20,000 m², and this space, naturally, is not empty - exhibitions, fairs, festivals and various performances are held there every year. Centuries ago, fishing boats unloaded here, and one of the largest seafood markets in Europe was located, but Napoleon did not like the specific local spirit, and he ordered the liquidation of all shopping arcades, the filling up of the river mouth, so the square became a separate place, cut off from the waters Amstel. From the beginning of the 19th century, a stock exchange operated here, which existed here for exactly one hundred years. Later, the fashionable Benkorf store opened in its place, offering wealthy customers expensive clothes, gourmet food and luxury furniture. But in the last century, rallies, processions, parades and other events with national status began to be held on Dam Square.
So, what are the attractions located on Dam Square? First of all, you should pay attention to the neoclassical building of the Royal Palace, which inspires respect and admiration - gray walls dotted with lace bas-reliefs, long windows, a characteristic dome in the center - who, if not the royal couple, would live here? Despite all this luxury, this house once housed the city hall, but in the 19th century it was decided to give the building to the king. Now every inquisitive tourist can visit the palace under one condition - the royal family must be away at that time.
Gothic is adjacent to neoclassicism - New Church. It is new not because it was built recently, but because in the Middle Ages there was an Old Church in Amsterdam, but the number of parishioners grew and a new building was built for everyone who wanted faith. Nowadays there are no services held here, and the building is purely cultural in nature - organ concerts and exhibitions are held here.
No square is complete without monuments, and Dam is home to the National Monument, created by Jacobus Oud in 1956 to commemorate those killed in World War II. It is a snow-white column, surrounded on one side by a wall in which sculptures of martyred people are mounted.
In addition to these epic buildings and structures, on Dam Square there is a Madame Tussauds wax museum with “heroes of our time”: artists, politicians, movie stars - all of them are gathered under one roof. Every avid tourist certainly comes here to add to his collection of photographs with celebrities. Well, after a walk it’s nice to sit in a restaurant or cafe, of which there are plenty, drink wine and watch the ideal European life outside the windows.
The heart of Amsterdam is Dam Square. The name comes from the dam on the Amstel River, which marked the beginning of the development of the city and center of the capital of the Netherlands.
The construction of the dam dates back to around 1270. It connected two small fishing villages. It was from this moment that the city began its growth and development; it became a center of crafts and trade.
The dam was constantly strengthened and expanded. It grew to such an extent that it gradually turned into two fairly wide squares, Middeldam and Platse. Since the squares were adjacent to the mooring places of fishing vessels, one of the largest fish markets was formed a few meters from the original pier, where you could buy gifts from the rivers and the sea in any quantity.
In addition, the squares are gradually turning into the center of the political and economic life of the city. The town hall was also built there. In addition to the administrative building, the following were also built on the square:
- The weighbridge, which had to be demolished in 1808. by the will of the first ruler of Amsterdam, Louis Bonaparte (the building prevented him from admiring his possessions from the royal balcony).
- Zocher Stock Exchange (1837), built on territory that was reclaimed from the water and allowed for a significant expansion of the area. But it did not last even a century - with the development of the Stock Market, trading in shares was firmly established on the Berlage Exchange, and the building itself was demolished.
- In 1914, a one of the largest department stores of that time, De Bijenkorf.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, an area of about 11,500 square meters. m. becomes not only the center of the city, but actually turns into the heart of the Netherlands, where the most significant events and activities take place - fairs, festivals, ceremonies, as well as demonstrations and protests.
Attractions
Dam Square is a tourist mecca. Anyone who has visited the capital of the Netherlands at least once will definitely bring back some wonderful photos, capturing themselves and their friends against the backdrop of the sights.
Modern Dam Square is:
- Royal Palace, rising in the western part of the square. The building is the personification of neoclassicism; from the 17th to the early 19th centuries it housed the city hall, then it became the residence of the ruling dynasty. Today, King Willem Alexander is in charge of the palace. In 2009, the building was reconstructed, and today, when members royal family are missing, then anyone can look most apartments
- New Church, built in the 15th century, to replace the Old one, which by that time could not accommodate all the parishioners. The building was built in the Gothic style and is one of the oldest architectural monuments. Since 1979 it has lost its main theological function. It houses traveling exhibitions of artists and features an organ. If you want to attend one of the organ concerts so beloved by the Dutch, then you should take care of tickets in advance.
- , one of the most vibrant and famous museums in the world. The building itself fits organically into architectural ensemble square and is its decoration.
- National Monument, located in the center of the square, was erected in 1956 in honor of the Dutch soldiers of World War II. The author of the project is the architect Jacobus Oud. Every spring, on the Day of Remembrance of the Dead, members of the royal family and state leaders, as well as guests and residents of the country, lay flowers and wreaths at it. The square itself is a symbol of cruelty: on May 8, 1945, on the day of the overthrow of the fascist regime, the square was filled with a jubilant crowd. But the fun was interrupted by a machine gun burst. The Nazis placed a machine gun on the roof of one of the houses and opened fire on the residents celebrating the victory. Sources claim that 22 people were killed and 120 were seriously injured that evening.
- Attractions also operating at night: Ferris wheel, shooting gallery for children, carousel.
Webcam
There is a web camera installed on Dam Square that broadcasts online 24 hours a day.
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The “heart” of the capital of the Netherlands, the main square of the city is Dam. It was Dam Square that essentially marked the beginning of the centuries-old history of Amsterdam.
A little history
This story is quite interesting and far from the most banal. Dam Square is a dam on the Amstel River. By the way, the name “Amsterdam” comes from just these two derivatives: “Dam” and “Amstel”. Until the 13th century, several fishing villages were located on the territory of the city. This place was located in a lowland, in a swamp, and was constantly subject to floods. In this regard, a decision was made to build a protective dam. This happened around 1270-1275. Subsequently, the dam was constantly strengthened and expanded. So gradually a square was formed in its place, which united all the nearby settlements and marked the beginning of the development of the city.
Today, Dam Square is the center of political, commercial and cultural life not only Amsterdam, but the Netherlands as a whole.
The square stretches approximately 200 meters in length and has an almost rectangular shape. Such scope and space is very atypical for Amsterdam. When you get to the square after narrow canals and cramped sidewalks, houses matching each other, your eyes immediately begin to run wild. But soon your attention will definitely focus on the majestic Royal Palace - the main architectural dominant of Dam Square.
A huge palace rises right in the center of the square. Its height is 90 meters. The Royal Palace was built in 1648, during the so-called “Golden Age” of Holland - the economic prosperity of the state.
All buildings in historical center Amsterdam stands on powerful multi-meter piles, buried in swampy soil. The Royal Palace is no exception; its foundation required a record 13,659 piles 12 meters long! The architecture of the palace belongs to the style of Dutch classicism.
The name of this attraction fully justifies itself - the palace is at the disposal of the Dutch monarch. But not for permanent residence. Various special events take place here: the reception of foreign guests, the ceremony of transferring the throne, weddings of the family of monarchs, etc. This does not happen very often, of course. Therefore, it was decided to make the Royal Palace accessible to tourists.
Inside you will find a huge hall measuring 36 by 18 meters and a height of 27 m, as well as several smaller rooms decorated with paintings by the famous Rembrandt, Bohl and other outstanding Dutch artists.
You can visit the Royal Palace every day from 10 am to 5 pm.
Entrance fee is 10 euros.
As mentioned above, sometimes royal ceremonies are held in the palace and on these days it is closed. Information about the work of the palace can be obtained on the official website, where you can also purchase tickets online.
Other attractions of Dam Square
The Royal Palace is far from the only attraction of Dam Square.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
On the left side (if you stand in the square facing the Royal Palace) is the building of a branch of the famous London Wax Museum Madame Tussauds. There are about 20 such branches around the world, the Amsterdam one is one of the most famous. There are about 50 figures in the museum. Here you can take a photo with Lenin, Einstein, Barack Obama.
A unique opportunity: to look under the skirt of Marilyn Monroe:) The famous Dutch artist Van Gogh is also here, and many, many others.
Purchasing a ticket at the door will cost 23.5 euros, and on the website 19.5 euros- good savings.
New Church (Nieuwe Kerk)
On the right side is the New Church. It is noteworthy that it is quite difficult to call it “new”, because it was built in the 15th century - only a few decades later than the Old Church :) Since then, the Nieuwe Kerk has been repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and reconstructed, and only in the 17th century it acquired its Gothic appearance , and at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century it was supplemented with neo-Gothic elements.
In fact, the building of this church is incredibly unique, since even after severe fires and destruction there was some surviving part of it that has survived to this day. The modern appearance of the church contains a small piece of each era - a real find for architecture lovers.
On this moment The church does not fulfill its original functions, but is used as an exhibition hall. The cost of visiting depends on the exhibition, on average 8-10 euros. You can find out the theme of the exhibition and the ticket price for it on the official website of the New Church.
National Monument
On Dam Square there was also a place for a memorial in memory of the victims of the Second World War. It is located immediately at the entrance to the square, on the opposite side from the Royal Palace. The Netherlands, like most European countries, did not resist Hitler for long - only 5 days, after which a pro-German government was installed here with all the ensuing consequences. The 22-meter column was installed in 1956. Every year on May 4, Remembrance Day, a ceremony is held here in memory of those killed in this terrible war.
Dam Square is located in the center of Amsterdam and has been the center and heart of the capital of Holland for seven centuries. Here are the most famous buildings in the city, including the Royal Palace and the New Church. Dam Square got its name from the word dam on the site of which it was formed; in Dutch, dam is Dam.
Dam Square stretches 200 meters from west to east and 100 meters from north to south, and is shaped like a rectangle connecting two ancient streets - Damrak and Rokin.
Festivals and celebrations are held on Dam Square and there are always a lot of tourists here.
How to get to Dam Square
Ladies Square is located in the very center of the city. From the Central Station, walk 750 meters - about 10 minutes.
You can also take a tram from Central Station - almost all routes go past Dam Square.
From the history
In the 13th century, local fishermen built a lock and dam on the Amstel River. Then there was a small village with a dozen houses, and at the beginning of the 14th century there was only an empty space where they sold fish. But gradually the dam expanded, strengthened, and over time a city arose around it, which was named Amsteledamme - Amsterdam, named after the Amstel river and the dam - Dam, built on it.
Especially many changes occurred in Dam Square in the 15th and subsequent centuries. Stock exchanges and the city hall, scaffolds and monuments, residential buildings and offices were built here.
Today, despite the presence of buildings of different eras and styles here, they all coexist peacefully and look harmonious. Among the main buildings are the Royal Palace and the New Church, the De Bijenkorf department store and Madame Tussauds, the National Monument and the ABN AMRO bank, as well as the Grand Hotel Krasnopolsky.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is majestic building, located in the western part of Dam Square.
The building was built in 1648-1655 by the founder of Dutch classicism, Jacob van Kampen. This is the main structure on Dam Square and many call it the eighth wonder of the world.
Church New Church on Dam Square
The New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) is one of the oldest religious buildings in Amsterdam; it began to be built with money from merchants in 1380 and took 70 years to build. The name Nieuwe Kerk means New Church; it was built instead of the Old one - Oude Kerk, since it was small and could not accommodate all the parishioners. The temple was erected in honor of St. Mary and St. Catherine.
Fires in 1421 and 1452 damaged the temple, and the last one in 1645 practically destroyed it. The church was completely restored in the Gothic style, and then reconstruction was carried out at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, when neo-Gothic elements appeared in its decoration. The last changes were made in the middle of the 20th century.
The church is National - coronations and weddings of royalty are held there. On April 30, 2013, Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands, the first man on the throne since 1890. Divine services are not held in the temple; exhibitions and concerts of organ music are often organized here.
In the Nieuwe Kerk church you can see colored stained glass windows and a beautiful altar, as well as a carved ceiling above it and an ancient organ miraculously preserved in a fire in 1645.
The admiral is buried in the temple navy Holland Michael de Ruyter, who won many naval battles of the Anglo-Dutch War and died off the coast of Sicily in a battle with the French. The Ruyter Monument is surrounded by symbolic figures of Strength, Prudence and Perseverance. The temple also houses commanders Jan van Galen, Jan van Spyck and the famous poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel, who is called the Dutch Shakespeare.
National Monument
On the opposite side of the square, opposite the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, an obelisk 22 meters high was erected in 1956 - this is a National Monument glorifying the heroes who died during the Second World War. Every year on May 4, a solemn ceremony is held here in memory of the victims. The monument is made of cream travertine, and the victims are depicted as naked figures bound in chains, over which the crucified Christ stretches out his arms.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Dam Square is located famous Museum wax figures of Madame Tussauds, built in the 15th century. Its main exhibits are figures of celebrities. You will see not only figures of famous personalities, but also a show telling the history of Amsterdam.
Dame Square will remind you of St. Mark's Square in Venice - there are also many pigeons of various breeds and “living” sculptures.
