Amsterdam enquiries:
Ever wondered why so many houses in Amsterdam lean forward?
Or what used to be on Damrak before the Beurs van Berlage was built?
Where used to be the town hall before the Stopera was built?
Need a suggestion for a tasting of our local liqueurs? Or where to get the best beers in Amsterdam?
If you have any question about Amsterdam, present or past, you can
E-mail me and I shall try to answer your question.
Here follow some useful links about Amsterdam:
General Interest
Town Hall . General information about e.g. public services.
GVB . Information about trams, metro, ferries and buses.
Het Parool , Amsterdam's own, local newspaper.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Historic Museum , explaining the fascinating history of Amsterdam, from the earliest settlements to the present time developments. The bookshop has a large collection of books on Amsterdam.
Atlas Amsterdam , a site where you can zoom in on your neighbourhood, locate sports facilities, child care centres, libraries, doctors, dentists and police stations, and even see an aereal photograph!
Town Archives , hosting various exhibitions. With the most comprehensive book shop on books about Amsterdam.
Bureau Monumentenzorg , a vast site on the architecture of Amsterdam with a wealth of information and pictures.
Museum Amstelkring , perhaps the most surprising museum in Amsterdam. With a complete church 'hidden' inside a canal house.
Royal Palace which used to be the town hall during the 17th century. The 'burgerzaal' is stunning, once one of the biggest rooms in the world.
Museum van Loon , a canal house with historic interiors.
The Old Church , with a beautiful church interior located in the heart of the old city centre.
The New Church , on Dam square, with beautiful church interior and location of many exhibitions.
Anne Frank House , the hiding place of Anne Frank prior to her deportation. Much of her famous diary was written here.
House boat Museum , see a house boat interior.
History
Maritime Museum , with paintings, ship models and artefacts of our glorious maritime history. Housed in the17th century maritime weapons depot.
Allard Pierson Museum , dedicated to ancient Greek and Roman history.
Agnietenkapel , one of the very few remnants of medieval Amsterdam, houses varying exhibitions.
Jewish Historic Museum , on Jewish religion and on Jewish life before, during and after the war.
Trade Union Museum housed in the magnificent building that Berlage built for the diamond workers union.
Resistance Museum , museum on the history of the resistance movement in The Netherlands during the 2nd world war.
Press Museum , a collection on four centuries of press in The Netherlands.
Theatre Museum , with many memorabilia from the rich Dutch theatre history.
Biblical Museum , a bridge between the bible and culture. Located in several magnificent 17th century canal houses.
Film Museum , on the history of cinematography.
Max Euwe Centre , permanent exposition on Max Euwe and the history of chess.
Handbag Museum , the development of the ladies' handbag, from the late middle ages to the present.
Arts
Rijksmuseum , medieval and 17th century art, including the famous 'Nightwatch' and many other masterworks by Rembrandt and his contemporaries. Features a permanent collection of works of art illustrating the history of The Netherlands.
Rembrandt House , former house of Rembrandt, showing his studio and many of his etchings and drawings.
Van Gogh Museum , dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, with some of his his most beautiful paintings. Also varying related expositions.
Stedelijk Museum , Amsterdam's museum of modern and contemporary art, with many varying exhibitions.
SMBA , part of the Stedelijk Museum, with the most recent developments in the arts.
Cobra Museum , Amstelveen's museum of modern art, dedicated to painters of the 'Cobra' movement.
Museum Jan v.d. Togt , contemporary art.
Montevideo , on new technologies in the visual arts.
House Marseille , varying expositions on photography with historic and modern work.
Architecture
Bureau Monumentenzorg , a vast site on the architecture of Amsterdam with a wealth of information and pictures.
Beurs van Berlage , the former corn exchange, built by Berlage. With a museum on the building's architecture and a tower viewpoint.
Arcam Gallery , on recent developments in architecture.
Zuiderkerk , permanent exhibition of housing and infrastructure projects in Amsterdam.
Flora and Fauna
Artis , Natura Artis Magistra, or 'Nature is the Teacher of the Arts', Amsterdam Zoo.
Hortus Botanicus , botanical garden and palm houses.
Technology
Aviodome , on the history of aviation, located at Schiphol airport.
EnergeticA , museum for energy technology, in a 1904 power station. History of gas, electricity and combustion engines.
Nemo , former New Metropolis, technology and communications museum.
Various
Children Museum . Here children can participate in supervised song, dance and music on various themes in the Tropics Museum .
Tropics Museum , located in an impressive building, with varying exhibitions on third world art and culture.
Cat Cabinet , a surprising museum on the cat as subject in art works.
University of Amsterdam , information on various museums within the university.
Madame Tussaud's , the only official Madame Tussaud's waxworks outside London.
Music / Theatre
UITLIJN , central booking office for concerts and theatre in Amsterdam.
Concertgebouw , world famous concert hall, featuring internationally acclaimed ochestras and conductors.
Opera , Amsterdam's location for internationally renowned opera productions.
Theatre Amsterdam , theatre, music, comedy and dance. Often featuring English-spoken theatre!
Theatre Amstelveen . theatre, music, comedy and dance.
Conservatorium van Amsterdam , or Sweelinck Music Academy of Amsterdam.
Beurs van Berlage , with two fine concert halls.
Carré , famous theatre, often featuring circus, comedy shows and musicals.
Cristofori , specialised in piano music. Various piano recitals, chamber music, jazz and tango evenings.
Badcuyp , small venue for recitals and jam sessions.
BIM-huis , improvised music and jazz.