Dam Square is considered the heart of Amsterdam. You have probably already imagined the fair sex leisurely strolling along the cobblestones? Not worth it, they have nothing to do with it at all - the name of the square appeared thanks to the dam on which it is located. The dam was built on the Amstel River in the 13th century, it connected its banks and was an important social and economic site of the Netherlands.
The busiest and largest streets of the city adjoin the square - Demrak Boulevard, Rokin, Nievendijk, Dam Street and others, and the main transport hub of the capital is only 700 meters from here. The square itself is a rectangle of 20,000 m², and this space, of course, is not empty - exhibitions, fairs, festivals and various performances are held there every year. Centuries ago, fishing vessels were unloaded here, and one of the largest seafood markets in Europe was located, but Napoleon did not like the specific local spirit, and he ordered to liquidate all the trading rows, fill the mouth of the river, so the square became a separate place, cut off from the waters Amstel. Since the beginning of the 19th century, a stock exchange functioned here, which existed here for exactly one hundred years. Later, a fashionable Benkorf store was opened in its place, offering wealthy customers expensive outfits, gourmet food and luxury furniture. But in the last century, rallies, processions, parades and other events of national status began to be held on Dam Square.
So, what are the attractions on Dam Square? First of all, attention should be paid to the neoclassical building of the Royal Palace, which inspires respect and admiration - gray walls dotted with lace bas-reliefs, long windows, a characteristic dome in the center - who else but the royal couple live here? Despite all this luxury, once the city hall was located in this house, but in the 19th century it was decided to give the building to the king. Now every curious tourist can visit the palace on one condition - the royal family must be away at this time.
Next to neoclassicism there is a Gothic style - New Church. It is new not because it was built recently, but because in the Middle Ages there was an Old Church in Amsterdam, but the number of parishioners grew and a new building was erected for all those who were hungry for faith. Now there are no services here, and the building is of a purely cultural nature - organ concerts and exhibitions are held here.
Not a single square is complete without monuments, and Dam is also home to the National Monument, created by Jacobus Oud in 1956 in memory of those who fell in World War II. It is a snow-white column, surrounded on one side by a wall, into which sculptures of people-martyrs are mounted.
In addition to these epic buildings and structures on Dam Square, there is the Madame Tussauds wax museum with "heroes of our time": artists, politicians, movie stars - all of them are gathered under one roof. Every avid tourist will certainly come here to replenish their collection of photographs with celebrities. Well, after a walk, it's nice to sit in a restaurant or cafe, which are abundant here, drink wine and watch the ideal European life outside the windows.
If you follow the crowd from the station, Dam Square in Amsterdam is the first place where tourists will find themselves in the capital of the Netherlands.
Here you can argue and say that the Central Railway Station is also an attraction in Amsterdam and be right. Here, near the station, you can visit and thereby make your own original route and immediately go to, but if you succumb to the flow of people from the station, it will take you first to Damrak Street, and then just 500 meters later to Dam Square itself in Amsterdam ...
How to find Dam Square
If succumbing to the crowd is not your method and you want to know exactly where to go, then here is a map from the omniscient Google. The distance between point A (railway station) and point B (Dam Square) is only 800 meters.
If you are too lazy to walk, then this distance can be covered on trams 4, 9 and 16, you need to sit at the station and get off at the next stop, but it is better to walk this short distance on foot, and at the same time see the Berlage exchange building. The building is located exactly in the middle of Damrak street.
The building of the Amsterdam Mercantile Exchange took 8 years to build and opened in 1903, and it was named so in honor of the architect who designed it. Today this building is no longer a stock exchange and is given over to exhibitions and concerts, but it fulfilled its function for almost 100 years until the end of the 20th century.
Dam Square in Amsterdam
After passing 300 meters from the exchange building, we immediately find ourselves on Dam Square. The name of the square has nothing to do with Dame, but is translated from Dutch as Dam. Around the dam, which was once on the site of this square, a city was formed. And the Damrak street itself, along which they walked, runs along the Amstel River, which gave the name to the city.
Now in more detail about what can be seen in Dam Square.
Royal Palace - Koninklijk Paleis
This is the most significant building in the capital of the Netherlands and belongs to the formally ruling Monarchs, but at the very beginning it was an ordinary town hall. It is too luxurious a building for a town hall, but if you look at that it was built in 1665, then this is the Golden Age of Holland, the time when the country reached its greatest economic heyday.
The town hall was waiting for a change of several owners, so when Napoleon captured Holland, he made the town hall his residence, but soon it passed into the possession of the royal dynasty of the Netherlands, and in the XX century it became the property of the state. Today, the once former town hall bears the proud title of a palace and belongs to the Dutch monarchs.
The palace is open to the public from 10.00 to 17.00, the entrance ticket costs 10 €, up to 18 years old free. The ticket price includes a mobile guide in several languages, including Russian. When visiting the palace, pay attention to the days when it is closed for any official events, and there can be a lot of such days in each month.
National monument
This memorial is dedicated to the victims of the Second World War. The height of the column is 22 meters, and in the wall of the memorial there are urns with earth from the places of mass executions and military cemeteries. Each sculpture on the monument symbolizes something and this suffering, resistance, devotion, victory, peace and liberation.
Madame Tussauds museum
One of the branches of Madame Tussaud's museums is located in Dam Square in Amsterdam. Now it is already a real trademark, which began with its founder, Maria Tussauds, who made her first wax figure in 1765.
The entrance to the museum costs 23.5 €, but with a purchase it is cheaper. Up to 16 years old, you can buy a child ticket for 12 / 19.5 €, but after 16 only an adult, since there are no other discounts here.
New Church - Nieuwe Kerk
The church is located next to the royal palace for a good reason, because the coronations and weddings of many monarchs of the Netherlands were carried out here. Built almost simultaneously with the palace / town hall in the 15th century. Currently, the church is inactive, and all due to the fact that during the next restoration it turned out that the Holland Church did not have enough money to continue the restoration work and the building passed into another property.
Today the building houses a museum and hosts exhibitions and concerts. The entrance ticket to the exhibition costs 16 €, for holders of the I Amsterdam Card the ticket will cost 4.5 €.
Shopping malls aren't often landmarks, but in this case it's a historic building dating back to 1870. From one once small store, a retail network of 12 has grown throughout the country. The name of the shopping center translates as "Beehive", which today corresponds very well to a large store.
Magna Plaza Shopping Center (former Main Post Office)
And this is another shopping center, although it is not located exactly on Dam Square, but behind the Royal Palace. The building is more than 100 years old, it was built in 1899 and at that time, according to guidebooks, it was a technical miracle.
This building was being built for the post office and was supposed to become the Main Post Office of Amsterdam, but the size of the building turned out to be very large and not in demand, since only the first floor was used. In 1992, the building was restored and a shopping center was opened here.
Accommodation near Dam Square
The number of hotels near the square is very large, but since this is the city center, the room rates are usually more than 150 €. If there is more desire to stay not far away and at the same time not overpay, then the best option is likely to be a chain hotel, because chain hotels value their reputation and this is almost always good service. Prices for a room in this hotel start from 100 €.
For those who prefer hostels, the nearest one is at a price of 25 € per bed.
Dam Square, located in the heart of the city, got its name from the well-known dam. This dam in the XIII century served as the basis for the construction of Amsterdam. With each passing decade, it grew and became stronger, eventually becoming the largest and most crowded square in the Dutch capital. At the very beginning, there were two small sites, which eventually merged into one whole. Today it is almost the main tourist and political center of the city.
What is Dam Square
The square has impressive dimensions - 200 meters long, 100 meters wide. Two main streets along the river bank - Rokin and Damrak - connect here. And it is from here that the world-famous Red Light District begins. The main square, both earlier and now, is considered the main venue for various celebrations and concerts. But even on ordinary days, it is full of tourists from all over the world. No wonder - there is something to look at here.
In the western part, you can see the magnificent Royal Palace, which belongs to the current queen of the state. Initially, this building was the city hall, but then passed on to the family of monarchs. Access to the palace is open to guests, anyone can see the real royal chambers. Not far from the palace stands the New Church, which, despite its name, was built in the 15th century. It was erected due to the fact that the previous church could no longer accommodate all the parishioners. Today the New Church is not functioning because there is no finance to put it in order. But it sometimes hosts art exhibitions and music concerts.
Attractions of Dam Square
The world famous wax museum founded by Madame Tussauds is also located here. This is not the main museum, but its branch, but the very first of all. Here you can admire the figures of famous scientists, politicians, athletes, singers. The museum is very popular with tourists. You can not only look at the figures, but also take pictures with them.
In the middle of the square stands the majestic National Monument, rightly considered the most important monument in the Netherlands. It was erected in memory of those killed in World War II. Every year in early May, Memorial Day is held here with a touching ceremony.
On Dam Square there is a legendary 5-star Dutch hotel, known all over the world - Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. Its rich history dates back to 1866. The hotel has almost five hundred prestigious rooms for elite or simply wealthy guests, and there is also a lot of entertainment.
How to get there?
We must try very hard not to find Dam Square, because, as already mentioned, the main city roads lead to it. From the central station, you just need to walk along Damrak Boulevard, full of souvenir shops and other small shops, and now you are on the famous square. Most travelers get there this way.
Tel. +31 14 020
The beautiful name of the square evokes an association with the fair floor, but this is not entirely a correct assumption. The word "Dam" in translation from the Dutch language means "dam". This name was chosen for a reason: eight centuries ago, a dam was erected on the Amstel River, which served as a communication between the settlements that formed along the banks of the river, and over time it began to play a different role - the central city square, where you could get a lot of entertainment.
David Saddler
Dam Square and Heineken Beer Wagon
Dam Square is the main venue for cultural events in the city. Demonstrations and colorful fairs take place here, especially on the eve of the Christmas holidays.
It is located on the dam of the Amstel River, which was built in the 13th century. The proximity to the river and the merchant ships turned the square into a place of trade. At first, a large fish market was located here, then, after filling the mouth of the Amstel River, a stock exchange was opened on the square, and after its closure - Benkorf department store. In the 20th century, the square became a place for various gatherings, including those of national importance.
Dam area is a rectangle of 20 thousand m2. It can be reached on foot from the central train station in 10 minutes. There are many attractions here that attract tourists from all over the world. These include the Royal Palace, located in the western part of the square. For two centuries, this building housed the city hall, and later - in 1808, it became the residence of the ruling dynasty and remains it to this day. It was opened for tourists only in the 21st century, officially the royal family does not use it, but occasionally official receptions are organized here, and even weddings of members of the royal family are held.
The building of the New Church is located not far from the palace. Built in the 15th century, it ceased its work in 1979, now it hosts art exhibitions and concerts of organ music. In the immediate vicinity of the church is the famous Tussauds Museum of Wax. A National Monument was erected nearby. The stone stele was erected in 1956 in memory of the victims of the Second World War. Every year ceremonies are held here - the Days of Remembrance of the Victims.
On the square there is one of the most famous hotel in e - Krasnopolsky, on its territory there is a winter garden and a miniature distillery. There you can taste local drinks and relax in the garden. De Beijenkorf department store, prestigious and expensive, is located next to the hotel.
The decision to settle in this place will be an excellent choice for people who love a noisy pastime and are not constrained in money.
Dam Square is one of the most important and famous places in Amsterdam, which hosts many cultural events. It has a fuzzy rectangular shape with a length of about 100 meters from north to south and about 200 meters from west to east. The square connects Rokin and Damrak streets, which run along the Amstel river - from the railway station to Monetnaya square. To the northeast of Dam Square is the Red Light District. In its western part there is the neoclassical Royal Palace, which from 1655 to 1808 served as the building of the city hall, and after that it was transformed into a royal residence.
One of the main attractions of the square is the National Monument - a memorial in memory of the people who died during the Second World War. Every year on May 4, a national ceremony of commemoration of victims of conflicts is held at this monument. The author of this unique monument is Jacobus Oud, the great Dutch architect. The central element of the structure is a conical concrete column with a height of 22 meters. On its front side there is a De Vrede bas-relief, consisting of four chained male figures that symbolize the suffering of prisoners of war.
Coordinates: 52.37300900,4.89299200
Spey Square
Spey is a square in the center of Amsterdam.
Initially, this was the name of the river that washed Amsterdam from the south and formed the southern border of the city until 1425.
In 1882, Spey was covered up and turned into the square that we now know. The area underwent reconstruction in 1996 and is now practically free of vehicles.
Spey is a real paradise for book lovers, there is a weekly book market on Fridays, there are also many bookstores, including the Academic Athenaeum Bookstore, a children's book store and two English-language literature stores.
An art market is organized here every Sunday.
Spey has a statue of Liverdier.
Coordinates: 52.36878700,4.89010600
Museum Square
Museum Square is one of the largest and most famous squares in Amsterdam, which got its name due to the fact that it is here that there are four famous museums: Rijksmusem (State Museum of Art in the Netherlands), Van Gogh Museum, Stedelejk Museum (Amsterdam City Museum) and Diamond Museum.
Museum Square was founded at the end of the 19th century on the site where the first International Colonial Exhibition took place in 1883. Those who like to walk among the museum exhibits, listen to the fascinating stories of the guides, immerse themselves in the history of the city's development, its life and culture, feel great here. Various public events are also held on the square: festivals, holidays, demonstrations, etc.
In 1999, a large-scale reconstruction of the square was carried out. The author of the new project is the Swedish landscape architect Sven-Ingvar Anderson. As a result of the transformations, underground parking and a supermarket appeared on the square, and the reservoir located here turns into an artificial skating rink in winter.
Coordinates: 52.35795700,4.88237600
Rembrandt square
One of the central squares of Amsterdam is called Rembrandtplein and is dedicated to the work of Rembrandt van Rijn himself. In the center of the square, on a large lawn, there is a monument to the artist and at its foot, on fine days, locals and guests of the city arrange whole picnics and sunbathe.
Rembrandt Square became famous as one of the landmarks when, in 2008, for the 400th anniversary of the artist, a sculptural composition of 22 bronze figurines depicting the characters of the painting "Night Watch" was installed. Such a gift was made to the city by two Russian sculptures and artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov. A year later, the composition was sent to New York, and a year later it was already in the courtyard of the Museum of Fine Arts. A.S. Pushkin will continue to exhibit in several more cities around the world.
Rembrandtplein is located in the liveliest part of Amsterdam, where there are many cozy cafes and shops nearby. Many clubs, discos and bars are open here at night, so that life does not stop until the morning.
Coordinates: 52.36611100,4.89666700
Leidseplein
Leidseplein, located at the southern border of the Grand Canals, is the center of a tourist hot area, where visitors roam in droves and nightlife is in full swing. During the day, Leidseplein is also quite lively: street performers and musicians stage performances here. On the square itself and the streets adjacent to it, there are many bars, restaurants, street cafes, theaters, and dance clubs.
In general, Leidseplein is a noisy and dusty place, although it is called the most picturesque square in the city. The Amsterdamites themselves are trying to bypass it. Therefore, the number of tourists here always exceeds the number of local residents. And most of the signs and signs here are made in English - to make it easier for foreigners to navigate the variety of bars and restaurants.
Coordinates: 52.36441700,4.88274100
Dam Square
Amsterdam's central square, home to famous buildings and many events. One of the most famous and important places in the city.
The square is in the shape of a rectangle extending approximately 200 meters from west to east and 100 meters from north to south. It connects Damrak and Rokin Streets, which run along the direction of the Amstel River from Central Station to Muntplein and Munttoren Tower.
Here are such famous city attractions as the Royal Palace, the Nivier Kerk Church, Madame Tussauds, the National Monument (white stone pillar), erected in 1956 in memory of the victims of World War II. Also on the square are the "Grand Hotel Krasnapolski" and the prestigious department store "De Beijenkorf".
There are several tram lines running through Dam Square. At the end of the 19th century (when the horse tram still existed) Dam Square was the main center of Amsterdam's tram service. After 1900, this function was taken over by Stationsplein.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the main square of Amsterdam became a "national" square, known to almost all residents of the Netherlands. Demonstrations and various mass events were often held here, including many rallies.
Coordinates: 52.37275300,4.89230600
Spøy Square
Spøy Square is one of the central squares in the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, and its shape is rather asymmetrical, since until the end of the 19th century there was a body of water that bounds the city to the south.
Spøy Square was formed in 1882. With the construction of a new canal, now located in the outer ditch around Amsterdam, the need for a spillway in the south of the city disappeared, and the reservoir was filled up, forming a square in its place. In 1996, Spøy Square was made a pedestrian zone, and since then every Friday a book fair and a meeting of book lovers from all over Amsterdam have been organized here. Antiques dealers can often be found at this fair. And on Sundays, city artists put up their canvases here for sale.
There are many architectural monuments of the city on the square. It is worth noting the old Lutheran Church of the 17th century, the House of the Virgin - a former orphanage for girls, and now the University of Amsterdam, built in 1780, the Helios house in the art nouveau style of the late 19th century. In the center of the square is a statue of a teenage boy nicknamed "Cutie" - this is the spirit of the square, symbolizing the cheerful Amsterdam citizens. There is a brasserie on the square where you can taste delicious local beer, as well as imported varieties from other countries.
Coordinates: 52.36861100,4.88944400
Amsterdam landmarks
