Amsterdam Red Quarter

Posted by admin No Commented Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

A visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to the Red Quarter. The atmosphere can be chaotic, since tourists mix with pimps and drug sellers. Red Quarter prostitutes are part of a legal and organized industry, including mandatory health insurance and taxable income. Prostitution is the only attraction in the area.

The architecture consists of a mixture neighborhood that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Areas explored are Waterlooplein, Zeedijk and Nieuwmarkt Market (). Waterlooplein is the location of the modern City Hall traumdetung Der Übergang and the Music Theatre. Market was built in 1880 of two channels were sealed and then given to the Jews, who spread their goods for sale on jos.Piata Nieuwmarkt was once home to a Jewish community, mainly Portuguese Hebrew who escaped persecution during the Spanish Inquisition. Cultural diversity of this area is expanding and Zeedijk Street, which is often called Chinatown. Street stretches from St. Olof Chapel to De Waag.

Amsterdam: Culture and Transgression

Posted by admin No Commented Monday, July 25th, 2011

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands in the province of Noord-Holland. UNESCO heritage, the municipality of Amsterdam has 755,269 residents (as of 30 October 2008) of over 170 nationalities and the population residing in the metropolitan area is about 1.45 million people. Since the institutional setting of government is located in The Hague, it is often confused with the capital, but that is Amsterdam. The Netherlands is one of the few states whose seat of government does not coincide with the capital. It seems that the city’s history has started around 1205, the IJ and the confluence dell’Amstel when Gijsbrecht van Amstel built a castle. In 1222, to contain the swamps of the Zuiderzee, the first community built the first dam (dam or dijk) between the south bank of the river IJ el’Amstel, was born a small fishing village called Amstelledamme, “Amstel dam”, from which then the name of Amsterdam. The Zeedijk, a street in the historic center, it still preserves the memory. These communities soon raised two other dams that are now some city streets as the Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk one hand, the other Warmoesstraat. Embankments on these men, some rows of houses built entirely of wood and to encourage commercial development, a lock was installed near the dam where it is today, to allow small boats to come and unload their cargo on the docks of city. The Amstel was divided into two arms and his dam functioned as a lock, allowing the river to throw nell’IJ when there was no danger of flooding, and this meant that in 1275, the cluster of houses was identified as city. After the trade was well established, there was an attempt to widen the banks (Burgwal) of the first dams to get more land and then dragged it over time. In 1420, Amsterdam is still a lack of space and channels were built parallel to the embankments of earth, and in 1540, the center of the city had already formed, bounded today by the central station to the north, and from Geldersekade Kloveniersburgwal east, from Singel to the south and west. In 1586, the city decided to start work, really huge, the Grachtengordel vast ring of 4 channels which provided for the enlargement of the excavation of the Singel and Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht of, in 1665 major works were completed and the surface was doubled. This development led to the displacement of the boundaries of the city along the Singelgracht and new walls were named the surrounding towns, from north to south. Before the seventeenth century., Brackish waters of the canals were controlled by separating them closed and tides dall’IJ guaranteed a cleaning. Since the eighteenth century., Locks dell’Amstel provided fresh water to clean the canals of Amsterdam and the canal opening of the North Sea in the nineteenth century. and the creation of Schellingwoude closed in 1872, the city isolated from the influence of the tides. The Zuiderzee, the wide stretch of sea that separates into two Friesland, in 1932 was closed by the giant Afsluitdijk, a dam 30 km long and 90 meters wide, forming a vast reservoir of fresh water, the IJsselmeer, which keeps the climate temperate. Emblem of the coexistence between the city and water channels that are arranged in a semicircle, covering 75 km in length, giving rise to a ninety urban islands. The more than 2500 houses included in this lattice, are built on stilts deep 11 to 18 meters tall and narrow, usually have three to five floors and façades in Baroque style, Renaissance or classic. The main channels (grachten) are those of the North: the Singel, Herengracht (Gentlemen of the channel), Keizersgracht (Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg Canal) and Prinsengracht (Prince William channel of Orange II) as mentioned earlier. The Singel is the oldest and was excavated in the XIVth century. defensive purposes, alongside a wall, of which two fortified towers, the Muntorren in Muntplein and the Waag in Nieuw Markt Square, were built after the other 3 channels. These channels are now agile traverse of tourist boats, which are based in several places in the Centrum, the Damrak, Rokin and in Damrakburg. The rondvaart, boat rides, shows a particular aspect of the old town, but if you want to watch channels from the ground, perhaps the best way is by bicycle. When it comes to Amsterdam, we speak of cities in Europe, most use the bike (about 600 000), unlike other places where water is dominant, such as Hamburg, Venice, Stockholm, Amsterdam, in fact, has no steps or stairs that disturb the rider and 1281 bridges that cross its 165 channels, have always continuity with the character of streets. Amsterdam is mostly under sea level and it is understandable why the thirteenth century. To date, the water level has been so important. Schiphol Airport, for example, is at -4.5 m, the bottom of the Haarlemmermeer, a dry dock in 1852, the subway is about -11 meters, the Vondelpark, 50 acres of greenery in the heart of the city, was created in 1877 and is draining a marshy area to -2.5 m below sea level. These lands stolen by the sea so to speak, by pumping, are called Polder. The Netherlands were united to the Spanish crown until the sixteenth century, when it ended the war of independence. Among the consequences of independence, was introduced in the state of religious freedom. Amsterdam remained a Catholic city, predominant religion in the city today. However, many churches were converted to the Protestant faith. While the religious wars raging in Europe, Amsterdam became a haven for many people persecuted or fear of persecution because of their religion. Jews arrived from Spain and Portugal, fleeing from the merchants from Antwerp and the Spanish looting of Huguenots from France. The seventeenth century was the golden age of Amsterdam. The Dutch ships sailed for North America, Indonesia, Brazil and Africa, creating a colonial empire. Rembrandt lived in this century. The town grew around the channels. Amsterdam became the most important port in the world and a center of international finance. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw a decline in the prosperity of Amsterdam. The wars against Britain and France put a strain on the city and the trade moved to London. At the end of the nineteenth century, the Industrial Revolution reached the city. New routes to the sea water to the river Rhine and gave birth to new trade routes with foreign countries. The conditions improved in Amsterdam again, but the city did not achieve more than the splendours of the past. In these years he built the Stelling van Amsterdam, a ring of 42 strong and land could be flooded, put to defend the city. The First World War did not bring destruction because the Netherlands remained neutral. The trade and industry still suffered the consequences of a Europe devastated. Between the wars, the Dutch built the walls that separated the Zuider Zee from the North Sea, creating the so-called IJsselmeer (Lake IJseel). The expanse of water east of Amsterdam became so fresh water, not salty, and could be used by the inhabitants. During World War II German troops occupied the city since May 15, 1940 and deported nearly 100,000 Jews, making their community almost disappear. Anne Frank was one of them. Before the war, Amsterdam was the most important center for trade in diamonds. Since this trade was mostly in the hands of Jewish businessmen and jewelers, it disappeared. Today, Amsterdam still has a role in the diamond trade, but his place was taken by world central city of Antwerp in Belgium. In the sixties and seventies Amsterdam again became famous for various reasons: the policy of tolerance towards soft drugs made the city a popular destination for hippies. They became frequent occupations of empty buildings and clashes with police. The eighties began so convulsed in 1980, while Queen Beatrix was crowned, a protest was held outside the church. The motto of the Protestants was ‘Geen woning, geen Kröning’ (no home, no coronation).

The mayor and city council eventually had to call the army to regain control of the situation. During the following years greatly increased the number of immigrants, especially from Suriname, Turkey and Morocco. Many people moved to nearby cities, including Purmerend and Almere. Pijp and Jordaan districts such as, previously inhabited by workers, became sought-after destinations for the new affluent yuppies and students. In the same year occurred the great administrative changes: the city was divided into districts (now 15), responsible for many of the activities that were previously assigned to the central government. The idea was to bring the administration closer to people. The nineties were years of economic boom. The historic old town was almost completely restored and many facilities were completed. In 1995 the national government proposed the creation of a “provincial town”, including Amsterdam and nearby towns. The people rejected the idea in a referendum. The opposition was not so much against the provincial town, but against the city’s division into parts. (hard disk esterno samsung)

After the referendum proposal was filed, but since 1995 some parts of the city, however, became more autonomous, and some nearby towns were merged from Amsterdam, both politically and economically. In a sense, the province was formed the same form of “Greater Amsterdam.” The beginning of the new millennium has brought economic problems for the city. Unemployment has risen. The integration of immigrants arrived two decades ago is still problematic, as shown by the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh’s 800-year history of Amsterdam, however, have shown that the city is able to recover from such periods.

resources:
http://frasi.springnote.com/pages
http://titi.mug.ro/
http://interestingfacts.spruz.com/

Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum

Posted by admin No Commented Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Van Gogh Museum is the famous museum in Amsterdam dedicated to the work of the great Dutch artist Van Gogh.
To avoid queues, you should visit in the morning, perhaps after the opening, especially in summer.

Located in the so-called Paulus Potterstraat 7 in the Museum Quarter, is housed in a building situated near the Museumplein, a square surrounded by greenery and around which overlook other three famous institutions: the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and Hall of the Royal Concertgebow. The building was opened in 1973 to collect the works of the master, 10 years before they began the first construction project on Gerrit Rietveld which participated actively nephew Vincent Willem van Gogh as an engineer.

Towards the end of the 90 ‘was built a further extension of the museum designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, funded through a generous donation of a Japanese company. Outside shows the typical geometry typical of many construction de Stijl and spread over four levels which are ordered strictly the various sections that compose it.

Every year not less than one million tourists come to admire the complete and spectacular collection: more than 250 paintings and 500 drawings and watercolors, including 4 of 13 large canvases (50×100 cm.)

The museum includes a library, a reading room where you can consult freely art books about the artist and his contemporaries

Amsterdam Erotic Museum

Posted by admin No Commented Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

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Amsterdam Erotic Museum represents an artistic view over erotics, which makes the “Red Light District” so special. Five floors of erotic enjoyment and arts.

A view with unique postcard, photos and more then 500 erotic books. A special fairytale corner with erotic videos will give you a look at the funny side of erotics.

A collection of erotic arts from all over the world and way back in history till this futuristic century.Paintings and other artforms from old masters and modern time artits giver the exhibition aview over the erotic arts.

It will surprise you. The erotic museum is a cultural must in your program to visit the “Red Light District” .

Erotic Museum Amsterdam
O.Z. Achterburgwal 54
1012 DP Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 620 06 30

Zoo, botanical garden and parks in Amsterdam

Posted by admin No Commented Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

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Artis Zoo

If you buy a ticket to Arsis you can visit the Planetarium, the Aquarium, the Zoological Museum and the Geological Museum. Artis is also a botanical garden, with plants and trees gathered from all over the world, just like the animal species.

Hortus Botanicus
This is the Botanical Garden of the University of Amsterdam. You can vist this garden: Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM, Saturday and Sunday 10AM to 5PM, open until 11PM in July and August, admission € 6.

Parks in Amsterdam

Vondelpark

This beautiful park is located in the older part of the city. Especially in the summer it’s lively and crowded. A lovely place to hang out and if you chose to try magic mushrooms, do them here.

Museumplein

This is a large grassed open space. Around its edges are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Concertgebouw, and the temporarily closed Stedelijk Museum.

Westerpark
Newly expanded park, at the western edge of the centre, with cultural activities in a former gas factory. Access from Haarlemmerweg.

Amsterdamse Bos
Amsterdamse Bos is a much larger forest-type park on the outskirts of the city. Access from Amstelveenseweg. Horse rental, canoe rental and an open air theatre are part of the attractions.

Art Galleries in Amsterdam


Given the large number of galleries ans art dealers in Amsterdam, and not to say nothing the abundance of public monuments around the city, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Amsterdam’s people are enthusiastic
consumers of art. New galleries open up in Amsterdam all the time.

De Beeldenwinkel
Address:Berenstraat 29, The Canal Ring, Amsterdam.
Phone: 020/676-4903
In De Beeldenwinkel art gallery you can find Slender torsos, ceramic figures, abstract marble statues made by Dutch artists.

Elisabeth Den Bieman de Haas
Address: Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 44, The Canal Ring, Amsterdam
Phone: 020/626-1012
Showcases art from the international Cobra collection and specializes in Corneille’s early works.

Galerie De Stoker
Address: Witte de Withstraat 124, Amsterdam West, Amsterdam
Phone: 020/612-3293
The gallery is open every Friday and Saturday from 11:00 till 17:00 h.

Galerie Ei
Address: Admiraal de Ruijterweg 154, De Baarsjes, Amsterdam
Phone: 020/616-3961
At Galerie Ei, artist Judith Zwaan displays her whimsical, colorful paintings and papier-mâché sculptures, influenced by Niki de Saint-Phalle and the Cobra group, as well as the art and culture of West Africa.

Kunsthandel M. L. De Boer
Address: Keizersgracht 542, The Canal Ring, Amsterdam
Phone: 020/623-4060

Peter Donkersloot Galerie
Address: Spiegelgracht 14-16, The Canal Ring, Amsterdam
Phone: 020/623-6538
Since January 2006 Jan Hoopman and Peter Donkersloot’s wife Colette van Ojik have opened the “Peter Donkersloot Gallery” in Amsterdam. They also will continue managing Peter’s artwork in café/restaurant HERENGRACHT. Please visit this site regularly to see what is new.

The cheapest museum to visit in Amsterdam

Posted by admin No Commented Friday, May 15th, 2009

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Rijksmuseum

It’s the most important Dutch museum: a day is not enough for visit him. In a large building at the end of the nineteenth century are exhibited masterpieces of Vermeer, Hals, Steen, Rembrandt, including the famousThe “Night Watch” by Rembrandt.
The museum was founded in 1800 in The Hague to exhibit the collections of the Dutch stadtholders. Open from 10 to 17, and the price of the entrance ticket is 9 $.

Van Gogh Museum

In the Van Gogh Museum is exhibited he largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world, and also the museum holds extensive exhibitions on various subjects from 19th Century art history. The museum is open from 9 to 19 (up to 21 from April to August).

The National Heritage Museum

An open air museum and park located near Arnhem, in the National Heritage Museum stands antique houses, farms and factories from different parts of the Netherlands. The museum park is 44 hectares in area and includes buildings from various places and historical periods.


Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum is a museum of modern art more listed in the world, Kandinsky, Matisse, Braque, Picasso, Mondrian, Chagall , and every year there are more than 30 exhibitions. Always open from 11 to 17.

Amsterdam history

Posted by admin No Commented Saturday, April 25th, 2009


Corresponding to legend, Amsterdam was grounded, by two fishermen and a seasick dog, with ran ashore and trew up on the site of the city.  They  landed on the shores of the Amstel in a small . The reality, sadly, is probably rather more mundane.

The earliest recorded use of the name “Amsterdam” is from a document associated with the date 27 October 1275, when the population, who had construct a bridge with a dam across the Amstel, were exempted from paying a bridge toll by Count Floris V. By 1327, the name had developed into Aemsterdam.

Around 1420 the town was bursting at the seams once again. On the east center part of the city a new fence was constructed along the present Geldersekade and Kloveniersburgwal. On the west side of the city was dug a moat canal . In 1420 the economy at this time was very deficient, being supported mostly on beer industry and fishing (herrings). After Amsterdam became a part of Burgundian Empire during the 15th Century the economy started to rise.

In 1580 Portugal is take over by Spain; the Dutch are pressured to move further afield in their search for trade; Amsterdam then become an important port.

The 17th century was a time of triumph for Amsterdam. A good economy, power, culture and forbearance dominated in the Amsterdam. The number of inhabitants became larger during this period and as a result, the city expanded greatly. Amsterdam then construct its renowned ring of canals.

Smothered by World War II, Germany overrun the Netherlands on 10 May 1940 and took control of the country. The Germans installed a Nazi civilian government in Amsterdam that cooperated with the persecution of Jews. More than 100,000 Dutch Jews were deported to concentration camps; relatively few survived the war.

Many new Amsterdam suburbs were construct after World War II., guiding to the development of public parks and ultramodern buildings seen today.