We are happily living in de Plantage buurt (Plantation neighbourhood) and we would like to tell you more about this lovely area before you come to visit us.
De Plantage is a green neighborhood in Amsterdam with a rich history. Because of the variety of interesting places, you can easily spend one or two days in this area. De Plantage is situated on the east end of the city centre.
History
In the 17th century Amsterdam was one of the fastest growing and wealthiest cities in Europe due to its overseas trade. The city council decided that a new neighborhood was necessary to provide accommodation for its growing number of inhabitants. This extension on an old swamp was finished in 1680, but the neighborhood was too large and many plots of land stayed unsold. Instead of building new houses, the decision was taken; citizens could purchase the plots and keep gardens.
It became a green and spacious recreation area and it turned out to be a great success. De Plantage became a very popular neighborhood in the 19th century and as a result bars, theaters and dance halls opened their doors. Many wealthy Jewish citizens, actors and writers moved into this area and started to build new majestic houses.
Artis Royal Zoo, Micropia & Museum of the Tropics
Artis Royal Zoo is much more than a zoo. It is the oldest zoo in The Netherlands with a rich history and a beautiful park with old monuments, characteristic buildings and unusual gardens. And of course you can see more than 900 species of animals in Artis; like elephants, lions, gorillas, giraffes, seals, monkeys and a great butterfly garden. Many people visit the park not only to see the animals but also to have a picnic with family and friends.
Artis has been awarded with the TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Award 2015 as ‘Best Zoo of the BeNeLux’!
The ‘Tropenmuseum’ (Museum of the Tropics) is housed in one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful and largest historic buildings. This is one of Europe’s leading anthropological museums. The collection of the Tropenmuseum contains more than 300.000 exotic objects and historical photos from Asia, Oceania, Africa and Latin America. The ‘Oosterpark’, located right behind the ‘Tropenmuseum’, is one of the largest and greenest parks in Amsterdam. The park has wide open spaces good for picnics and is well kept and clean.
Micropia is the first Microbe museum in the world. It is situated next to Artis.
Hermitage Museum & Hortus Botanicus
Not far from the ‘Waterlooplein’ you can visit the Hermitage Museum. This is the Dutch annex of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg and is located in a 17th century historical building on the banks of the Amstel River. The Hermitage museum offers changing exhibitions throughout the year. Nature lovers can enjoy the many species of trees, plants and flowers in the botanical garden, ‘Hortus Botanicus’. This is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world with more than 6000 different plants.
Markets
On Waterlooplein you can find Amsterdam’s biggest flea market ‘Waterloopleinmarkt’, best for second hand clothing. This outdoor market looks like a large bazaar where you can buy new trendy t-shirts, but also vintage and retro stuff like military uniforms.
Then we also have the Dappermarkt on a 5 minute walking distance, this market is more focused on food. You can find cheese stands -with all types of different Dutch cheese in all kinds of flavors, textures and shapes-, meat stands -with local meat and different meats from all over the world-, vegetable stands and a lot more!
Jewish Quarter
Amsterdam has been one of the most prominent Jewish centers in Europe from the 17th century until 1940. The city was famous for its religious tolerance. In the 19th century most of the Jewish people settled in the Jewish quarter (‘de Jodenbuurt’), east of the Amstel River. The Holocaust during World War II deeply affected the Jewish community, 80% of the 80,000 Jews at time present in Amsterdam were killed. The Jewish Quarter still contains a wealth of landmarks, markets, and important museums:
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Portuguese Synagogue
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Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museum)
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Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum)
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Dutch Theatre (Hollandsche Schouwburg)
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Rembrandthouse
Brewery & Windmill
The Netherlands is a country of windmills and…..beer! ‘Brouwerij ‘t IJ’ (the IJ Brewery) is located next to the ‘De Gooyer’ windmill. This small brewery was opened by a former musician, Kaspar Peterson, in October 1985. It currently brews four seasonal beers and five standard beers. All the beers are certified organic. The pub in the brewery is open daily from 15:00 to 20:00 and has a large outdoor terrace. The brewery also offers tastings and guided tours. If you are planning to visit The Plantage area, don’t miss it!
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