Amsterdam attractions
Dam Square - A visitor’s guide
Locals usually just call it “The Dam”, which can be confusing at first, but Dam Square is undoubtedly the true center of the city from a historical perspective, as well as from the social perspective. Located about 700 meters south of Centraal Station, this large rectangular concrete square is famous and usually crowded, although for most visitors it’s mostly just something you’ll be walking through several times during your stay.
The name: Dam Square
The name comes from that fact that a few hundred years ago, the Amstel River used to come all the way to this part of the city, where it was stopped with a dam. The river now stops several hundred meters from here, and there is no sign of any water or dam anymore, at least not directly at the Square. Interestingly enough, this is the only one that locals usually call a “square” instead of a “plein”, which is the Dutch word for square or plaza. All the other famous “squares”, Leidseplein, Rembrantplein, Museumplein, and a few others are usually referred to as “pleins” on all maps and by tourists and locals alike.
Date: September 7th, 2008 |
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The world’s smallest car? Meet the “Canta”
One of the many odd and unexpected treats of any visit to Amsterdam is getting a chance to see (and possibly trip over) what might be the world’s smallest production car. The “Canta” is manufactured in the Netherlands by a small company called Waaijenberg, which also appears to make a more realistic-sized car and also motorized wheelchairs in a three-pronged attack benefiting the less than mobile citizens of the area. At first glance they appear to be a driving wedge cut out of a more real car, but upon closer inspection you’ll see that they’ve got all 4 wheels and there is room for tiny engine up front.
If you’ve seen a Smart Car in person and were shocked by its size, prepare to break out in a fit of laughter when you see a Canta because you could easily fit this thing inside a Smart Car if you had a good can opener and a sturdy friend to help out with the lifting. Most golf carts dwarf these things as well, and it’s interesting to see just what the minimum space is that’s required for two people to be seated in a vehicle scooting around in normal traffic. There also appears to be some space behind both seats, which could come in handy if you bought a magazine or newspaper during your travels.
Date: June 8th, 2008 |
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Castles near Amsterdam - Muiderslot Castle
Particularly for visitors from North America, Amsterdam already feels like a museum with its perfectly preserved 17th Century architecture filling the city center, but those wanting to take it a step further might be happy to know that they can visit a real castle that dates back to the year 1280 just at the edge of the suburbs. There are actually several hundred castles remaining in the Netherlands, and many of those aren’t too far from the capital, but Muiderslot Castle is the closest and best set up for a quick day trip from Amsterdam.
What you’ll see
The current castle actually had to be rebuilt starting in the late 14th Century, and it’s gone through a long series of private owners over the years, including Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, who was the 17th Century poet and playwright for whom Amsterdam’s ritziest shopping street was named. It had fallen into disrepair by the late 19th Century when it was purchased by the government to be restored and opened as a tourist attraction. It’s recently celebrated 125 years in this role, and the castle is still filled with furnishings, artifacts, armor, and weapons from its 17th Century heyday. Even just from the outside the Muiderslot Castle sitting inside its picturesque moat is a worthwhile attraction and photo opportunity for those who’ve not yet been to many European castles. There are also impressive gardens just outside the castle, which are quite nice in season.
Date: June 25th, 2008 |
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Rembrandt House Museum
This former home of the famous 17th-Century Dutch painter is one of the more popular museums in Amsterdam, though it’s definitely a notch below the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House on most people’s checklists. Much of Rembrandt’s known work is on display here, alongside many pieces by students of his and others who shared influences and styles in that era. Its official name is Rembrandthuis, which is obviously Dutch for Rembrandt House.
So who is this Rembrandt guy anyway?
Date: May 7th, 2008 |
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