Dam Square is located in the center of Amsterdam and has been the center and heart of the capital of Holland for seven centuries. Here are the most famous buildings in the city, including the Royal Palace and the New Church. The Dam Square got its name from the word dam, on the site of which it was formed, in Dutch the dam is Dam.
Dam Square stretches 200 meters from west to east and 100 meters from north to south, and in shape it is a rectangle connecting two ancient streets - Damrak - Damrak and Rokin - Rokin.
Festivals and celebrations are held on Dam Square; there are always a lot of tourists here.
How to get to Dam Square
Dam Square is located in the very center of the city. Walk 750 meters from the Central Station - about 10 minutes.
You can also take a tram from the Central Station - almost all routes go past Dam Square.
From the history
In the 13th century, local fishermen built a lock and a dam on the Amstel - Amstel river. Then there was a small village with a dozen houses, and even at the beginning of the XIV century there was only an empty space where fish were traded. But gradually the dam expanded, strengthened and over time a city arose around it, which received the name Amsteledamme - Amsterdam after the Amstel river and the dam - Dam, built on it.
Especially many changes took place in Dam Square in the 15th and subsequent centuries. Exchange and city hall, scaffolds and monuments, residential buildings and offices were built here.
Today, despite the presence of buildings of different eras and styles here, they all peacefully coexist and look harmonious. The main buildings include the Royal Palace and the New Church, De Bijenkorf department store and Madame Tussauds, the National Monument and ABN AMRO Bank, and the Grand Hotel Krasnopolsky.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is a stately building located in the western part of Dam Square.
The building was built in 1648-1655 by the founder of Dutch classicism, Jacob van Kampen. This is the main building on Dam Square and many call it the eighth wonder of the world.
Church New Church on Dam Square
The New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) is one of the oldest religious buildings in Amsterdam, it began to be erected with the money of merchants in 1380 and was built for 70 years. The name Nieuwe Kerk means New Church, it was built instead of the Old - Oude Kerk, since it was small and did not accommodate all the parishioners. The temple was erected in honor of St. Mary and St. Catherine.
The fires of 1421 and 1452 damaged the temple, and the latter practically destroyed it in 1645. The church was completely restored in the Gothic style, and then the reconstruction was carried out in the late 19th - early 20th centuries, when neo-Gothic elements appeared in its decoration. The last changes were made in the middle of the 20th century.
The church is National - coronations and weddings of monarchs are held in it. On April 30, 2013, Willem-Alexander became king of the Netherlands, the first man to the throne since 1890. Divine services are not held in the temple; exhibitions and concerts of organ music are often organized here.
In the church of Nieuwe Kerk, you can see colored stained glass windows and a beautiful altar, as well as a carved ceiling above it and an ancient organ miraculously preserved in the fire of 1645.
Buried in the temple is the admiral of the Dutch Navy Michael de Ruyter, who won many naval battles of the Anglo-Dutch War and died off the coast of Sicily in a battle with the French. The Ruyter Monument is surrounded by symbolic figures of Strength, Prudence and Perseverance. Commanders Jan van Galen, Jan van Speik and the famous poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel, who is called the Dutch Shakespeare, are also buried in the temple.
National monument
On the opposite side of the square, opposite the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, an obelisk 22 meters high was erected in 1956 - this is a National Monument that glorifies the heroes who died during the Second World War. Every year on May 4, a solemn ceremony is held here in memory of the victims. The monument is made of cream travertine, and the victims are depicted in the form of naked figures chained, over which the crucified Christ stretches out his hands.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Dam Square is home to the famous Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, built in the 15th century. Its main exhibits are celebrity figures. You will see not only figures of famous personalities, but also a show that tells about the history of Amsterdam.
Dam Square will remind you of St. Mark's Square in Venice - there are also many pigeons of various breeds and "living" sculptures.
Historical background
The square is located on a dam erected on the Amstel River in the 13th century, which is why the landmark got its name. This structure provided transport links between settlements on different banks. The dam was constantly being completed, around it the city gradually flourished.
Over time, the square turned into the commercial center of the village. In the place where the goods brought by ships were unloaded, a large fish market was opened. In the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered its liquidation. At the same time, the mouth of the Amstel River was filled up, as a result of which Dam Square was cut off from the water. In 1837, a stock exchange was organized here, which functioned until the beginning of the last century. The luxury department store Benkorf was opened in its place. At the dawn of the 20th century, Dam Square gained fame among the entire population of the Netherlands. Here they began to organize mass meetings of national importance.
Popular attractions
Facade of the building of the New ChurchOn the western side of the square, the Royal Palace is built - a historical building in the neoclassical style. From the 17th to the 19th century, the town hall was located here, then the residence of the ruling dynasty began to be located here. At the moment, the palace is at the disposal of King Willem-Alexander. In 2009, the building was reconstructed. Now every tourist has the opportunity to explore the palace during the departure of the royal family.
Royal Palace at Dam SquareNear the king's residence is the Gothic building of the New Church, erected in the 15th century. The structure was built as an alternative to the Old Church, which could not accommodate all the parishioners. Since 1979, there have been no services here, but exhibitions of various artists and organ concerts have been held.
The Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is also located nearby. Its visitors have the opportunity to get acquainted with the Dutch political and cultural life - there are copies of many famous people of the state and show business stars.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in AmsterdamOpposite is the National Monument, designed by the architect Jacobus Oud in 1956 to commemorate the Dutch soldiers during the Second World War. It is the site of the annual ceremony - the Day of Remembrance of the Victims - dedicated to the people of the country who fell victims of hostilities. It is worth noting that Dam Square itself became the site of a wartime tragedy. On May 7, 1945, after the surrender of Germany, the city center was filled with joyful residents preparing to meet the liberators. The amusement of those present was interrupted by machine-gun bursts. The Germans installed small arms on the balcony of one of the buildings and began to ruthlessly destroy civilians. According to sources, 22 people were killed and 120 were seriously injured.
National Monument at Dam SquareNew Year tree on Dam Square
Information for tourists
The walk from Amsterdam Central Station to Dam Square takes less than 10 minutes. Most sightseeing tours of the city begin from here. Their cost varies from 30 to 70 euros, depending on the number of visited sites. Here is the hotel "Krasnapolskiy" - it is possible to stay in it during your stay in the Netherlands. To save money, experienced tourists recommend choosing hotels remote from the center. Dam Square has a large number of cozy cafes where you can relax after a long excursion. In various shops there is an opportunity to buy interesting souvenirs for family and friends. The Benkorf department store is an ideal place for avid shopaholics.
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.
A statue of Liverdier is installed on Spey.
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 a sculptural composition of 22 bronze figurines depicting the characters of the painting "Night Watch" was installed for the 400th anniversary of the artist. 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 lively part of Amsterdam, where there are many cozy cafes and shops nearby. At night, many clubs, discos and bars are open here, so 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 the 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, 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 rectangular in shape, stretching 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
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 with a 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 by a wall on one side, 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.
Dam Square is the rectangular heart of Amsterdam, 200 meters east to west and a hundred meters south. This place is famous for the events that have gone down in history; the most famous buildings in the capital are located on the square.
Dam Square is located 750 meters south of the central station. If you cross the square and go southeast, you find yourself in the red light district, on rue de Wallen. If you go west, you will find yourself in the Royal Palace, there is also the Gothic New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), built in the 15th century, and the famous Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
Stella to Heroes on the opposite side of the square, it was installed in 1956. It is a national monument designed to perpetuate the memory of heroes who died in World War II. Here is the most famous city hotel in Amsterdam Krasnopolsky and Benkorf department store. In addition, Dam Square resembles St. Mark's Square in Venice - its permanent inhabitants are tame pigeons. Here you can find birds of various breeds.
The history of the square is the history of the dam. Back in the 13th century, a dam was built on the Amstel River so that there was a connection between settlements on different banks. Gradually, it was strengthened, expanded, and the dam turned into a city square, and the city began to develop around it. The two squares of Platse and Middeldam merged together.
Life in this place was in full swing. A large fish market developed, and ships began to moor for loading and unloading at the dam. The government chose Dam Square as the center of political life and the site where the town hall was built. The market square itself and the houses that nestled on it can be seen in many old paintings.
The market ceased to exist at the beginning of the 19th century by order of Bonaparte. At the same time, in the 19th century, the former mouth of the Amstel was covered with earth, and Dam Square was cut off from the water. A new place, which was won from the water element, was built up.
In 1837, a stock exchange appeared, which was demolished at the beginning of the last century and in 1914 the world famous Benkorf department store grew on the square. For a long time it was the center of tram traffic in Amsterdam, here you could see horse trams.
Dam Square went down in history as the site of a great tragedy. Newsreels left a sad day in my memory. This happened on May 7, 1945, two days after the surrender of Germany. In the center of the city, jubilant Amsterdam citizens gathered, who were preparing to meet the liberators.
The square was filled, people danced, sang and congratulated each other. The joy was interrupted by machine-gun bursts. The Germans set up a machine gun on the balcony of one of the buildings and began to shoot the joyful civilians. On the brink of peace, 120 people were seriously injured and 22 died.
Mass events, demonstrations, including the National Day of Remembrance, are constantly held on the square. Several times a year, large fairs are held in the central square of Amsterdam, especially colorful and large-scale fairs on the eve of Christmas. It is also a favorite meeting place for the city's residents. To the question "Where will we meet?" - the most common answer is “On Dam Square”.
