Ladies Square in Amsterdam. Ladies Square and Royal Palace
Actually, Dam Square can be considered the main historical attraction of the city - after all, it became the center around which the capital of Holland was formed as an administrative unit. Even the name of the city consists of two words: "Amstel" - the name of the river on which there were fishing settlements, and "dam" - a dam. It is on it, powerfully fortified and protecting Amsterdam from flooding, that Dam is located.
From the 13th century on this small territory - only 100 by 200 m - holidays were organized, the most important issues were resolved, trade and political discussions were conducted, representatives to parliament were elected from the parties and movements of the city.
For a significant part of its history, Dam was a place of brisk trade and financial center, in which the fish market played a significant role: the location of the dam was very convenient for mooring and unloading boats from all over the region. The city Chamber of Weights (supervisory body) and the stock exchange were also located here, in the building of which today there is a store.
Dam has become more than a landmark: it is the real heart of Amsterdam, whose authorities carefully preserve its rich historical and social heritage.
Of course, the tourists were not forgotten either. The square has turned into a well-organized cultural area, where you can get acquainted with its main attractions - the royal palace, the New Church and the National Monument to the victims of World War II.
architectural features
Dam Square is an almost classic 100 by 200 m rectangle adjacent to the Mint Tower, bringing together the central streets of the city of Damrak and Rokin. Despite the very modest size (the Netherlands is generally a small country), several interesting sights are located here at once.
The ensemble of the square combines both classical Gothic (the building of the old stock exchange, now a shop) and the neoclassical style, to which Royal Palace.
But, of course, the main feature of the square is the fact that it is located directly on the dam. However, you will not notice this - the fact is that back in the 19th century. the lagoons filled with water were finally covered with soil.
What to see
Keeping the history of Amsterdam from the very days of its foundation fell to the architectural ensemble, located along the perimeter of the square. There are many attractions here, each of which is worth at least a little time.
Koninklijk Paleis, as the Amsterdamers themselves call it, is a typical example of Roman classicism: majestic and beautiful, it was from the 17th to the 19th centuries. was the seat of the City Hall. Today it is one of the three residences of the Dutch monarch, owned by him.
The specifics of the construction of buildings in Amsterdam is similar to the Venetian one: they are placed on piles driven into the bottom. More than 13 thousand of them were needed for the royal palace.
Here is the standard of the new Gothic style with its soaring spiers. This is the New Church (or Nieuwekerk): erected in the 15th century, it was repeatedly rebuilt and reconstructed after fires. The last renovation took place in the 80s of the last century - especially for the coronation ceremony of Queen Beatrix.
Today, the church is open to everyone: exhibitions and organ music concerts are regularly held here.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
The main museum is located in London, and its branch is located on Dam Square. However, this did not affect the content of the expositions. Of course, all exhibits recreate celebrities exactly, and visitors have the opportunity not only to take pictures with stars and world politicians, but also to make a cast of their own hand.
National Monument to the Fallen in World War II
A huge white stele with a wall fragment in the background of the monument (Nationaal Monument op de Dam) is under open sky, directly on the square itself. Here, every year, a tribute is paid to the memory of all the Dutch who died during the biggest war in the history of mankind.
The majestic white travertine obelisk is complemented by bas-reliefs and a sculptural group: flying doves symbolize liberation and the beginning of a new life.
Dam Square is located in the center of Amsterdam and has been the center and heart of the Dutch capital 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 the dam is Dam.
Dam Square stretches for 200 meters from west to east and 100 meters from north to south, and in shape it is a rectangle connecting two ancient streets - Damrak - Damrak and Rokin - Rokin.
Festivals and festive events are held on Dam Square, there are always a lot of tourists here.
How to get to Dam Square
Ladies Square is located in the heart of the city. Walk 750 meters from the Central Station - about 10 minutes.
You can also take a tram from the Central Station - almost all routes go past Dam Square.
From the history
In the XIII century, local fishermen on the Amstel River - Amstel built a lock and a dam. Then there was a small village with a dozen houses, and at the beginning of the 14th century there was only an empty space in this place where they traded fish. But gradually the dam expanded, strengthened, and over time, a city arose around it, called Amsteledamme - Amsterdam, after the Amstel river and the dam - Dam, built on it.
Especially many changes took place in Dam Square in the 15th and subsequent centuries. Here they built exchanges and the mayor's office, scaffolds and monuments, houses and offices.
Today, despite the presence of buildings of different eras and styles, they all peacefully coexist 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 Krasnopolsky Grand Hotel.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is a 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 building 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 places of worship in Amsterdam; it began to be built with the money of merchants from 1380 and was built for 70 years. The name Nieuwe Kerk means New Church, it was built instead of the Old - 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.
The fires of 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 the reconstruction was carried out in the late XIX - early XX century, when neo-Gothic elements appeared in its decoration. The last changes were made in the middle of the 20th century.
The church is National - it hosts the coronation and marriages of monarchs. On April 30, 2013, Willem-Alexander, the first man on the throne since 1890, became King of the Netherlands. 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 old organ miraculously preserved in a fire in 1645.
Admiral of the Dutch Navy Michael de Ruyter, who won many naval battles of the Anglo-Dutch War and died off the coast of Sicily in battle with the French, is buried in the temple. Ruyter's monument is surrounded by symbolic figures of Strength, Prudence and Perseverance. Commanders Jan van Galen, Jan van Speijk and the famous poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel, who is called the Dutch Shakespeare, also lie in the temple.
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 World War II. Every year on May 4, a solemn ceremony is held here in memory of the dead. 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 hands.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
On Dam Square is famous Museum wax figures of Madame Tussauds, built in the 15th century. Its main exhibits are figures of celebrities. You will see not only the figures of famous personalities, but also a show that tells about the history of Amsterdam.
Dam Square will remind you of St. Mark's Square in Venice - there are also many pigeons of various breeds and "living" sculptures.
Following the crowd of non-Dutch-speaking people, you will definitely get to Damrak (“Damrak”) - a wide boulevard, with souvenir shops, at the end of which is the central Dam Square (“Dam”). This route can be called traditional for numerous tourists who come to the city and is an ideal introductory walk with the sights of the city.
By the way, Dam Square is not named in honor of lovely women, everything is much more prosaic ... "dams", translated from Dutch, means "dam". So what is so special about this place? In addition to the fact that the square is the heart of the Dutch capital, there are five sights of the Dutch capital on it at once.
The obelisk, towering on the eastern half of Dam Square, is the main monument built as a tribute to the victims of World War II. Monumental sculptures and bas-reliefs on the obelisk symbolically depict the suffering and pain of wartime. The National Monument serves as the venue for the annual ceremony - - dedicated to the victims of the war, which takes place on May 4th.
Royal Palace.
One of the three palaces in, which is at the disposal of the ruling. The building, built in the 17th century, served as the city hall, and in 1813 became the property of the King of the Netherlands. The palace is located on the western side of Dam Square and is currently used for state visits and official receptions, as well as for royal weddings and the transfer of the throne. In June 2009, after a significant reconstruction, the palace opened its doors to the general public and anyone can see it if given time the palace is not used by the royal family.
New church.
Next to, there is a beautiful church of the XV century, made in the Gothic style. The New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) was built as an alternative to the overcrowded Old Church (Oude Kerk), which could no longer accommodate everyone. Since 1979, the church has not been used for services, as another reconstruction was too expensive for the Dutch Reformed Church. Today, the New Church is a popular venue for art exhibitions and organ concerts.
Madame Tussauds museum".
They have their own, which is located opposite, and from the windows of the upper floor of the museum there is a magnificent view of Amsterdam Square. Museum visitors get an incredibly easy and fun way to get to know Dutch culture: the museum features figures famous people countries such as or Prime Minister Jan Balkenende, and of course world celebrities.
Madame Tussauds museum" Shop “De Bijenkorf”
"De Bijenkorf", translated from Dutch - "hive", luxury store, in. Founded in 1870, it has grown from a modest shop on a narrow street to its current monumental building at the intersection of Damrak Street and Dam Square, and a dozen shops across the country. “De Bijenkorf” is the perfect place for avid shopaholics.
Shop "De Bijenkorf" Here it is, Dam Square - the very heart of Amsterdam
In the very heart of Amsterdam there is a square with an intriguing name for any Russian tourist - Dam Square. However, she has absolutely nothing to do with graceful female creatures. "Dam" in Dutch is "dam". And it is no coincidence that the square (and the whole city too) retained the memory of this building - 8 centuries ago, here, on the Amstel River, they really built a dam, which initially became a place of communication for settlements that arose along the banks of the river, and eventually grew and turned into a central city square.
But this is not the end of its historical and tourist value. Here is a "quintet" of the capital's Dutch attractions:
Attractions on Dam Square
Royal Palace
It is located in the western part of Dam Square. This is one of the three Dutch palaces, which is at the disposal of the monarch. The building itself was originally used as a city hall, in the 19th century it belonged to the Orange royal house, in 20 it was bought by the state, and, finally, at the beginning of the 21st century, after a significant reconstruction, the palace was opened for tourists to visit. And although the royal family does not use it, official receptions and even royal weddings are held here.
Madame Tussauds museum
How to get to Dam Square?
Ladies are easy to find. Many streets and lanes flock to this square. And the easiest way to get there is from the central Amsterdam railway station: just walk for 10 minutes straight from its main entrance. It is possible on public transport drive to the stop, which is called “Dam”, if you are too lazy to go. But in a city that can be walked in half an hour, this is probably strange.
Is it worth living near Dam Square?
The decision to settle in the very center may not be a very pleasant event - after all, it is quite noisy here. But if you like funny travel companies and souvenir shops, the hotels located here will help you stay with the necessary amenities. Swissotel Amsterdam Hotel will cost about 190-200 euros per day and more, NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky - 170 euros, Best Western Dam SquareInn - 150 per day, and the cheapest thing will be to stay in the Dam Square Experience Apartment - you will need to pay a day here in an average of 120 euros.
Where to eat in Dam Square?
There are also several good cafes nearby: Steak house on Damstraat 38 (its visit costs an average of 13-15 euros), Green woods on Singel 103 (11-13 euros), and Cafe Zwart on Dam 15 or Restaurant De Roode Leeuw on Damrak 93-94 your average bill can be 35-45 euros.
Have a nice trip!
Dam Square is considered the heart of Amsterdam. You, probably, have already imagined the representatives of the fair sex slowly walking along the paving stones? It’s not worth it, it’s just that 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 in the 13th century, it connected its banks and was an important social and economic object of the Netherlands.
The busiest and largest streets of the city adjoin the square - 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, of course, is not empty - every year there are exhibitions, fairs, festivals and various performances. And centuries ago, fishing boats were 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 to liquidate all the malls, fill up the mouth of the river, so the area became a separate place, cut off from the waters Amstel. From the beginning of the 19th century, a stock exchange functioned here, which existed here for exactly a hundred years. Later, a fashionable Benkorf store was opened in its place, offering wealthy customers expensive outfits, gourmet food and luxury furniture. But in the last century, rallies, processions, parades and other events that have a national status began to be held on Dam Square.
So, what is located on Dam Square from the sights? First of all, attention should be paid 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, no matter how the royal couple live here? Despite all this luxury, the city hall was once located in this house, but in the 19th century it was decided to give the building to the king. Now every inquisitive tourist can visit the palace on one condition - the royal family must be away at this time.
Next to the neoclassic, the Gothic is adjacent - the 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 all who were eager for faith. Now services are not 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 who died in World War II. It is a snow-white column, surrounded on one side by a wall, in which sculptures of martyrs 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 - they are all gathered under one roof. Every avid tourist will certainly come here to replenish their collection of photos with celebrities. Well, after a walk, it's nice to sit in a restaurant or cafe, which are in abundance here, drink wine and watch the ideal European life outside the windows.
