Admiring The Classical Architecture Of Amsterdam

When you head to the Netherlands to explore the history and sights that it has to offer

, be sure to stay in a conveniently located city hotel. Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands. The earliest recorded information about the city dates back to 1275, and since then the city has grown and expanded; it now has one of the largest historical centres in all of Europe.

One of the benefits of having such a large historical base at the heart of the city is the way that the architecture has been preserved with diligence. With over 7,000 listed historic buildings in the city, you will certainly find yourself looking at the structures around you with more interest as you pass by, but while you are here a few of the architectural jewels that you should not miss are Houten Huis, the Oude Kerk and the Paleis op de Dam.

Houten Huis

When you head out of your luxurious city hotel, Amsterdam opens up before you in a structured array of streets and canals. Head over to Begijnhof, which is one of the oldest inner courts in the city and home to the citys oldest wooden house, the Houten Huis. Located at 34 Begijnhof, Houten Huis dates from about 1420. The Begijnhof area itself dates from 1346 and was originally home to the Begijntjes, a sisterhood of Catholic nuns. There are few remaining (just two) wooden houses in the city due to the banning of wooden houses in 1521 after a series of fires destroyed parts of the city.

The Oude Kerk

Situated right by the ramparts, near your city hotel, Amsterdam offers to you the oldest building in the city, the Oude Kerk, or Old Kirk. Founded by fisherman on the Amstel River, in 1300 there was a stone church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, located on the site. For years, the old church was used as a meeting place for locals and the fishermen would come inside to mend their nets. During the citys growth throughout the Middle Ages, the church became a popular pilgrimage spot, especially after the 1345 Miracle of Amsterdam. Eventually, the church switched from Catholicism to Protestantism, and many of the icons were smashed and lost. The church was where Rembrandt gave notice of his intention to marry, and today, it is still a popular venue for weddings and funerals, which you will notice by the abundance of markers outside the church.

The Paleis op de Dam

Also known as the Royal Palace, the Paleis op de Dam is located in Dam Square. The Palace was originally built as a town hall in 1648 by the famed architect Jacob van Campen. The structure harks back to the Greek and classical styles as a reflection of a perfectly formed universe. Walking outside your city hotel, Amsterdam roads will almost inevitably lead you by the Palace in the centre of the city. In 1806, Napoleons brother became the king of Holland and decided to make the building his residence, but this didnt last long. Back in Dutch hands, the Palace was designated to remain as a palace, and in the early 1900s, the city sold the palace to the state. Today, it is still one of the palaces used by the Dutch Royal Family and it is opened to the public when they are not in residence.

by: Roberta Stuart

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