Amsterdam three crosses. What does it mean. Traveling through the Netherlands. Crown of Empire and Lion

As with most cities in the world, Amsterdam has its own official city flag, and it looks pretty simple. The flag is simple, but popular, because you can meet its elements ("XXX" symbols) throughout the city. Excursions in Amsterdam provide a story about the symbols of the city, but not always from the guide, you can get reliable information about what exactly these three Xs mean.

Coat of arms of Amsterdama

The flag of Amsterdam is based on the city coat of arms. The one, in turn, is represented in the form of a red shield with a black stripe and three silver Andreevsky crosses with the motto of Amsterdam below (Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig, which means "valiant, unshakable, compassionate"). Two gold lions are located on the sides of the coat of arms, and the imperial crown decorates the top of the shield.

The origin of the coat of arms of Amsterdam is unknown. But there are some theories.

That the symbol "XXX" does not exactly mean

There are several popular theories about the origin of the XXX symbol. According to historians (and some common sense), the following theories are incorrect:

XXX: Fire, floods and black death.

This theory is that three crosses on the flag of Amsterdam represent three dangers of old Amsterdam: fire, floods and black death (epidemic of plague) or what they had to reflect these dangers. However, this popular legend has no historical basis. Notable families from the suburbs of Amsterdam used Andreevsky crosses long before the plague struck Europe.

Amsterdam with H. sign

In addition to the channels and Cofweesopov, Amsterdam is also known for their entertainment class for adults, such as the red lamp area (De Wallen). However, this is an absolute coincidence that the crosses on the flag of Amsterdam are similar to modern wallpaper for anything with the definition of XXX.

The most likely theories of the appearance of "XXX" on the coat of arms and the flag of Amsterdam

So, now, when we know that three x are not denoted, let's take a look at the most likely theories of Amsterdam historians about the city's relationship with the symbol "XXX".

Communication with the apostle Andrey.

Three Crosses on the coat of arms of Amsterdam are St. Andrew's Crosses. They appear horizontally on the flag, but they are also portrayed vertically on seals and walls. Holy Andrei was a fisherman and the apostle, which, as the sacred Scripture says, took martyrdom on the cross, called the oblique cross. Amsterdam XXX symbol can be dated 1505 year. Then it was the city of fishermen, and this flag was raised on all the ships of Amsterdam.

Communication with the Persin Dynasty.

Most historians believe that the coat of arms of Amsterdam and his crosses can be associated with the Aristocratic Famin family, which once owned a large number of land in Amsterdam and around him. Knight Yang Persiein was Lord Amsterdam from 1280 to 1282. Andreevsky crosses were depicted on the shield of his family. The Persiin family also owned two other villages near Amsterdam: Auder-Amstel and New Maver-Amstel (now known as an Amstelven suburb). The flags of these two cities also depict Andreevsky crosses.

Flag of Amsterdam: the coolest flag in the world?

X signs on the flag may not designate entertainment for adults, but thanks to them, Amsterdam flag to be famous for the whole world. Some fans of flags consider him the most steep city flag in the world. Flag as a background may be excellent

Amsterdam about 1662. Channel rings completed.

Amsterdam and its surroundings around 1770. Expansion came to a dead end.

Excavations from 2005 to 2012 found evidence that the origin of Amsterdam is much older than "only" in the twelfth century. During the construction of Lijn Nord-Süd, the subway found archaeologists, about 30 meters below the street level, sequirs, a stone hammer and some ceramics, all starting with the era of Neolithic (new Stone Age). This will mean Amsterdam, or his predecessor would see human housing from about 2600 BC.

Medieval feudalism

Dar-letter 1275.

Religious spot and riot

In the first half of the 16th century, with the advent of Protestant reform, it is important mennonites (usually called anabaptists) communities formed in Amsterdam. Religious tensions grew throughout the empire, while in 1534 anabaptists from Münster and Emperor Karl V issued a decree of the persecution of all members of this church. For two years, Amsterdam's authorities marks 71 mennonites and many others. The execution will continue to be sporadically until 1550s.

In the second half of the 16th century, the uprising of the lower lands against the Habsburg King Philip II in Spain was brought. The uprising was mainly due to the lack of political power for local nobility and religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics, the latter supports the crown. Although Amsterdam began the war on the side of the crown, he switched to the other side with Alteratie 1578 and gave his support for Wilhelm I Orange. The uprising led to the war eighty years and in the end of Dutch independence.

One of the results of the uprising was that Amsterdam enjoys a certain degree of religious tolerance. Officially, only Calvinist worship was allowed, but in practice, Catholic "secret churchs" in private homes were silently allowed, since there were Lutheran and Mennonites from them. In the city of Big Roman - the Catholic minority remained, but most people belonged to the Calvinist Reformed Church and other Protestant confessions. Nevertheless, any state office was limited by members of the official reformat church.

During these years, religious wars raged throughout Europe and many people fled in the Dutch Republic and Amsterdam, where they were looking for refuge. Rich Jews from Spain and Portugal, Protestants from Antwerp and Guenotov from France were looking for security in Amsterdam.

"Golden Age" (1585-1672)

Seventeenth century Amsterdam Golden Age. Delivery from the city was swimmed in North America, Indonesia, Brazil and Africa, and formed the basis of the World Trade Network. The merchants of Amsterdam financed the expedition in four corners of the world, and they acquired the overseas owners who have formed seeds of late Dutch colonies. The most influential of these trading groups was the Dutch East - an Indian company, founded 1602, which became the first multinational corporation to produce shares to finance their business. Allowing for sailors to invest in the cargo that they are transported, it created an incentive for individual workers, which will be assigned to the goods, they carried and tightened by the preferences of the results of the results, where, before they are a migration agent. Rembrandt drew in this century, and the city has significantly expanded around its channels during this time. Amsterdam was the most important point for cargo transshipment in Europe and was the leading financial center of the world (a position later passed in London).

Government for resents

By the middle of 1660 Amsterdam reached the optimal population (about 200,000) for the level of trade, trade and agriculture, then accessible to its support. The city contributed to the largest quota in the form of taxes, the states of Holland, which in turn contributed to more than half of the quotas in general states. Amsterdam is also one of the most reliable in solving tax claims and, therefore, was able to use the threat to keep such payments of a good effect.

canal Amsterdam, s. 1686.

Amsterdam is regulated by the regent organ, large, but closed, the oligarchy with the control over all aspects of the life of the city, and the dominant voice in foreign affairs of Holland. Only people with sufficient wealth and sufficiently long-term accommodation within the city can join the ruling class. The first step of the ambitious and rich merchant family was to arrange a marriage with a long-time regent family. In the 1670s, one such an alliance that the Trip family (Amsterdam branch of the Creators of Swedish Weapons) with the son of Valckenier's burgomaster extended the influence and patronage available to the latter and strengthen its advice. The oligarchy in Amsterdam, thus received power from its latitude and openness. In small cities, family interest can combine a member on political decisions, but contracts through marriages can lead to the degeneration of the quality of members. In Amsterdam, the network was so great that members of the same family can be associated with opposing groups and to achieve widely separated interests. Young people who have stuck to the position of power in the 1670 and 1680s have strengthened their position as well in 1690 and even in a new century.

amsterdam's revenue is provided by good services. They are largely spent on waterways And other necessary infrastructure, as well as municipal allests for elderly, hospitals and churches. Regents Favorable private investment also contributed to raising the standard of living as the construction of commercially viable and advanced mills brought more efficient plants for the processing of goods and irrigation pumps to the region, which allows one of the earliest industrial oriented economies.

Lady Square in Amsterdam, 17th century

The wealth of Amsterdam was generated by their trading, which, in turn, incurred by the reasonable promotion of entrepreneurs, regardless of their origin. This agreement was supported by low interest rates for private enterprises, while communities managed by monarchies at that time siphon arrived. This open door policy was interpreted as proof of the tolerant ruling class. But warpness was practiced for the convenience of the city. Thus, the rich Jews - Sepharda from Portugal were welcomed and provided with all the privileges, with the exception of those citizenship, but poor Jews - Ashkenazi from Eastern Europe were much more carefully tested and those who became addicted to the city were proposed to move on. Similarly, the provision of enclosures of the Huguenov immigrants was made in 1681, when Louis XIV religious policy "S begins to manage these Protestants outside of France; No encouragement was not given by the Dutch from the countryside or other cities of Holland. Regents called on immigrants to build churches and granted areas or buildings for churches and temples for all, except for the most radical sects and indigenous Catholics on 1670 (although even Catholics could practice calmly in a chapel inside Beguinhof).

immigration

The enormous influence of German immigration can be seen now in the names that are often German. Immigrant integration was smooth. It was not difficult to find a job as a master, but the masters were forced to join the guild to serve in the city patrol and cooperate in the local area to compete with other areas. These were powerful institutions that led to rapid integration, especially since all these institutions were mainly filled with immigrants or children of immigrants. Amsterdam City Council consisted of people with all kinds of backgrounds: Dutch, German, Flemish, French, Scottish.

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Nevertheless, the state of trade of the city meant that suffered from the outbreak of the bubonic plague from 1663 to 1666, as expected from Algeria to Amsterdam. (The plague also broke out in mall London, in June 1665) Despite the fact that there was a little initial effect, the influence increased in the fall of 1663 and in 1664 the wife and youngest daughter are a well-known collector of Picks Jan J. Hinlopen, as well as a partner of Rembrandt Hendrika Stoffels, fell his victim, What fall. According to Samuel Pepis, within a few weeks at the end of 1663, ships from Hamburg and Amsterdam were quarantine for thirty days. In 1664, 24,148 people were buried in Amsterdam. More than 10% of the population died during this period - everything that came into contact with Chuma was in danger. At that time, people assumed, the plague was caused by the church of new channels.

Surprisingly, the tobacco smoke was considered as an effective prophylactic agent against the plague. From the prospect of plague, as well as war from England, the English ambassador commented on 1664 in May: "There is a dead week for number 338 in Amsterdam, and if ulcers, thus, increases within, and Warre it Majestie without it, will be There is little need for this huge new Town, which they do there. " Rich people left the cities to avoid diseases, but at the worst week of Pandemic 1664 in Amsterdam there were 1.041 burials compared to 7,000 at the end of the summer of 1665 in London, the city is two times its size. Mayors warned the population that eats salad, spinach or prunes can be harmful to health. Vroedschap closed the theater, which allows you to resume speeches only in 1666, although in 1666, the plague is attributed to Yana J Hinlopen in 1666. Sailors on ships in the sea was relatively safe.

Decline and modernization

18 and early 19th century there was a decrease in the welfare of Amsterdam. Wars of the Dutch Republic with the United Kingdom and France took their losses on Amsterdam. During Napoleonic wars, Fortune Amsterdam reached the lowest point; However, with the creation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, everyone began to slowly improve. In Amsterdam, new developments were started by people like Samuel Sarphati, who found their inspiration in Paris.

At the end of the 19th century, the industrial revolution reached Amsterdam. Amsterdam-Rhine Kanaal was died to give Amsterdam direct connection with the Rhine and Noordzee Kanaal give the port to the connection with the Northern Sea. Both projects have improved communication with the rest of Europe and the world dramatically. They gave the economy a big impulse.

The industrial revolution led to a huge influx of migrant workers from the Dutch village to Amsterdam. It happened during the rise of socialism in Amsterdam. The Dutch authorities tried to destroy the socialism of the treatment of socialists using violence. During the 1880s and 1890s, fights between the police and socialists occurred on a weekly basis. The famous event was the Palingoproer (eel of riots) in 1886, when 26 demonstrators were killed in the army after the police are not able to control the brown crowd of people observing the forbidden game of eel-pulling. Another was Orange Buntea of \u200b\u200b1887, which included the destruction of the socialist pub on Orangists and the arrest of the defendant socialists, while Orangists did not be punished at all. The most popular Socialist leaders of the 1890s were those who were in prison most of the time. One Socialist was so angry with the police that he tried to kill the chief superintendent police. He shot a hole in a caretaker's hat and was sentenced to many years in prison after being beaten by the police. After his liberation, he was met as a hero during a parade with a laurel wreath on his head, while people were crying, in crowded streets filled with workers from Amsterdam.

At the end of the 19th century, sometimes called Amsterdam the second golden age. New museums, Central Railway Station and ConcertgebOUW were built. Also was also built Wang Amsterdam, a unique ring of 42 forts and lands that could be flooded to protect the city from the attack. The population of Amsterdam has grown significantly during this period.

20th century

During World War I, the Netherlands remained neutral, but Amsterdam suffer from the consequences of the war, when food becomes deficient. When the working women began to rob the army supply ship, the military brought. Workers joined their wives in robbery and soldiers opened fire on them. Six people were killed and almost 100 were injured.

In the interwar period, the city continued to expand, and, above all, to the west of the Jordan district in Frederick HendrikBuurt and surrounding areas.

In 1932, the Damb department Zuider Zee from the North Sea, in Afslatek, was completed. Zuider Zee no longer had. New Lake for the dam called Iiselmeier. For the first time in its history, Amsterdam did not have an open communication with the sea.

Statue of Anna Frank

During World War II, German troops occupied the city. More than 100,000 Jews were deported, including the famous Anna Frank, almost completely destroy the Jewish community. Before the war, Amsterdam was in the world the center of the trade in diamonds. Since this trading was mainly in the hands of Jewish entrepreneurs and artisans, trade in diamonds mostly disappeared.

Amsterdam made a bet on 1952 Olympic Games (Summer Games), but unsuccessfully. Games went to Helsinki.

During the 1970s, the number of foreign immigrants, primarily of Surinam, Turkey and Morocco, grew strongly. This increase led to the outflow of people to "Growth cities" in Purmendend, Almer and other cities near Amsterdam. However, areas like Payp and Yordan, who had previously work class, began to place a place of residence for new rich Yappets and students. Amsterdam, who used to be a poor city in the Netherlands turned into economically rich cities, thanks to a new economic trend towards the service economy, and not an industrial economy.

In 1992, El Al Cargo Plane crashed into Bijlmermeer in Amsterdam Zyudost. This disaster is called BijlmerRamp. , led to the death of at least 43 people.

At the beginning of the millennium, social problems, such as safety, ethnic discrimination and segregation between religious and social groups began to develop. 45% Amsterdam's population has a Negolland Parent. Large social groups People from Suriname, at the Netherlands Antilles, Morocco and Turkey. Amsterdam is characterized by (perceived) social tolerance and diversity. Social tolerance was jeopardized by the murder of the Dutch film director Theo Van Gogh on November 2, 2004 with the help of Mohamed Buiieri, Islamic Fundamentalist. Amsterdam mayor, Cohen's work and his Alderman to integrate Abutaleba formulated the policy of "keeping things together", which includes social dialogue, tolerance and tough measures against those who violate the law.

Social struggle

The cultural revolution of the 1960s and 1970s made Amsterdam magisch Center (Magic Center) of Europe. The use of soft drugs was transferred, and this policy made the city a popular place for hippies. The period of 1966-1986, however, was described by Mak Gert, as the "City War of Twenty years" They ( twictigjarige Stadsoorlog.): A long period of social struggle between the radical youth of the city and its government. The war began with the advent of the local anarchist movement, the provisions, the so-called because they loved provoke power and bourgeois society with (non-violent) events And dada -inspired absurdism. Amsterdam police inflicted a retaliatory blow to secure; MAK explains the extreme cruelty of the police in relation to the events in direct after World War II, when the queen Beatrix Coronation "s takes place inside a new church on the square of the ladies. The loss of public sympathy arising from this event eventually led to the fall of the squatter of movement, and by the mid-1980s it was actually marginal.

21st century

In the first years, the twenty-first century, in the center of Amsterdam, a large number of tourists successfully attract with campaigns, such as Amsterdam. Between 2012 and 2015, 3000 were built hotel rooms, Airbnb added another 11,000 housing and the annual number of visitors grew from 10 million to 17 million. Real estate prices have grown, which makes the center inaccessible for residents of the city, while local shops make a way for tourists oriented on them. These events caused a comparison with Venice, the city is already overloaded by the tourist influx.

The construction of the subway line connecting the part of the city north of IJ to the center was launched in 2003. The project is controversial, since its cost exceeded the budget for the coefficient of three by 2008 due to concerns for damage to buildings in the center and because construction had to Stop and restart several times.

From 2014, the focus was paid to urban regeneration and updates, especially in areas directly bordering the city center, such as Frederick HendrikBuurt. This update of cities and expanding the traditional center of the city is part of 2040 initiatives of the Amsterdam structural vision.

Cultural life

In the 15th and 16th century, cultural life In Amsterdam, consisted mainly of festivals. During the last part of the 16th century, Amsterdams Rederijherskamer (Dietrich Chamber Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel. At the end of this century, Rijksmuseum and GemeENTelijk Museum were built. In 1888, ConcertgeBouworkest was created. From the 20th century Cinema, Radio and Television came. Although Studios in Hilversume and Aalsmery, the influence of Amsterdam programming is very strong. After World War II, the mass culture has become a dominant cultural phenomenon in Amsterdam.

History of the municipality

When the municipality was created during the French occupation, he covered the city (then consisting only from the central part inside the channels) and the immediate environment, less than 10% of the current municipality. When the city has grown, he joined several neighboring municipalities:

Referendum. The opposition is not so much against the creation of the city of the province, as it was against the division of the city to the part. Opponents feared, it will destroy the unity of the city. After the referendum, the province of the province was frozen. Nevertheless, since 1995, urban parts gradually become more independent, and the neighboring cities were drawn into the city, politically and economically. In a sense, the city of Province arrived in the form of "Big Amsterdam".

In Amsterdam got from Cologne. The road was not tired, traveled by the high-speed train ICE, in the way only 2 hours 40min. Coming out of the station building, dissolved in the crowd of the same tourists who came here for new impressions and emotions.
Acquaintance with the city began with a bus tour, it lasted about 2.5 hours and included a visit to the diamond processing factory. Those who wish to buy products, could choose them in the cabin immediately, when buying it, a certificate of quality stones were handed. From the bus moved to the boat and went through the channels of the city.

Building ZH.D.Vokzala built in 1889 on artificial island Hey Bay, which was embossed specifically for this purpose, the Dutch architect Keyper and is considered the gate of the capital. The center of the facade of the station is decorated with images of Amsterdam coat of arms and 14 cities.

Damrak Street, the former canal, covered in 1845-1883, passes between the central railway station and the Ladies Square, from the north to south. Main Street for which people get from railway station To the center of Amsterdam.

Damrak Street. Located on it cultural centersMany cafes, craft workshops and museums.

The distance is visible old church - Aude Kerk - the oldest in Amsterdam parish church, laid down in 1306 by the Bishop of Utrecht. The church stands in the Devallen area, which is now the quarter of red lamps, Rembrandt often had in this church, here he baptized his children. This is the only building in Amsterdam, preserved in the same form, as it looked in those days when Rembrandt came to it.

The old church is visible on this photo. In 1306, fishermen built a small wooden church in this place, dedicated to St. Nicholas - the patron of children, sailors, merchants, thieves and the city of Amsterdam. All subsequent three hundred years of this church endlessly completed and wars and swell, and as a result, it turned out not just a temple, but whole city, consisting of ten chapel, bell tower and baptistery. Aude-Kerk never burned, although the quarter survived three terrible fires. On the bell tower, which in 1565, like many other towers of the city, was prescribed by Hendrick de Caser, hanging the oldest in Amsterdam Bell, cast in 1450. At the end of the week, on Saturdays, in four afternoon, a melodic chime of the carone (set of small bells) sounds, which specially for the Tower Aude Kerk made the famous musical affairs Master Francois Chemon. The gothic octagonal bell tower of the church served as a reference point for sailors, sailing to the shores of Amsterdam. On Sundays, the services of the Dutch Reformed Church are held here. And on a red bus we went on a tour of the city. The branch of the Stock Exchange is viewed by the bus (1897-1903 of the construction) of the architect Hendrik Petrich Berlaga, included by UNESCO in the Dutch List of World Heritage Site.

"Daughters" at home on Damrak Street.

Due to the fact that at one time from Amsterdamtsev took the tax only for the land area, on which they built their homes, the townspeople tried to make the first floor of the guests, and then the useful area was systematically planned, so many buildings hang over sidewalks. The houses are narrow that furniture in the door does not pass. Because of this, many structures at the roof hooks mounted, a cable is clinging for it and thus overall objects raise an apartment through the window. As a rule, three windows on the floor are really inclined towards the street: this is done in order to be comfortable to drain furniture and all sorts of supplies on the ropes.

In this place they bought tickets for bus excursion. No Museum of Vodka inside did not see, traded all sorts of lots and mini cafes.

Blue bridge historical Most Through the Amtell River, connecting Rembrandt Square with the Waterloo Square. The bridge received its name from the Wooden Blue Bridge of the National Dutch flag painted into one of the colors, which was at this place approximately 1600. The name has been preserved after 1883, when the stone spans of a new bridge occurred.

The stone bridge has three aisles for ships and richly decorated. Columns on the bridge and supports of lanterns are crowned with the Crown of the Austrian Empire. Architects Bastian de Gref and Villem Springer. According to the bridge there is a car and tram movement of N and E.

One of the most picturesque canals in Amsterdam - Regulationgram (Reguliersgracht), which is called another channel of seven bridges, was died in 1664.

Bridge over the channel Nieves Herenght.

In 1658, the "Plan of Three Channels" was embodied. After that, the city was very transformed. Boulevards, houses and offices of wealthy citizens on strict rules were arranged along the larger channels. Even the color of the entrance door is regulated - green. The width of the buildings was installed no more than 8 m. To build a big house, you need to buy several sites. Citizens of middle class and artisans settled on the side streets. The houses were built on stilts that were driven into a swampy, loose ground. The length of the piles reached 13-18 m.

Museum of bags, located in Amsterdam, is devoted to historical bags, handbags and suitcases. The collection of the museum includes 3,500 exhibits, the oldest of them belong to the beginning of the XVI century. This is one of the world existing museums in the world of this direction, and he has the world's largest collection. At first, the museum existed in the two halls of the villa in Amstelvene, since June 2007, the museum is located in the XVII century building, leaving the most prestigious channel in Amsterdam Herenght.

MONTELBANDOREN Tower (MontelbaanStoren) on the Audeshans Channel.

Montelbanstoren Tower (MontelbaanStoren) on the Audeshans Channel was built in 1512 as a fortress tower in the 16th century, the appearance of a clock tower in the city, quickly convinced that the clock on the city of defending the city. In the period of the Middle Ages, she performed the role of a defensive point. The townspeople, who were delighted by that tower never go out correctly, for it they gave the nickname tower - "stupid Jacob".
Sint Nikolaskerk, or the Church of St. Nicholas - the Roman Catholic Church in the center of Amsterdam. Officially, the church was called "Church of St. Nicholas in the Walls", and the oldest urban protective fortifications were meant. The architect Blais (1842-1912) designed the church, based on a combination of several revived styles, among which, first of all, it is possible to allocate neo-baroque and neo-renaissance.

Church of St. Nicholas.

In Amsterdam on the canals there are a lot of "floating houses". This is "weekend-home", that is, at home, in which their owners come for a weekend or for holidays and not only from Holland.

At the pier with this sculpture ended the tour of Amsterdam's channels.

Now they are granted to themselves, familiarity with the city continues.
Ramrak (Damrak) starts straight from the station square. Her left part is the segment of the Amtell River with arrivals for excursion trams (once here came the boats loaded with grain, fish and whale fat, all this was put on a bidding on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange) and picturesquely tearing directly into the water houses of the XVII-XVIII centuries ( These are the rear facades of restaurants, clubs and bars). When there is a solid range of tourist shops, restaurants, snack bars and currency exchange points, shops, and between them - narrow medieval alley.

On the streets of Amsterdam, cyclists behave like kings, they are inferior to the road cars, they can go to red light and do not pay special attention to pedestrians. The fact is that the tracks between the sidewalk and the carriage part are provided for bicycles. Do not know this tourists are often closed on these tracks and get under the back with the wheel.

Go further on Damrak Street and get on the ladies, the main and most old Square Cities (the name "Damrak" just means "pass to the ladies"). Back in the XIV century there was no area here, it was just a small empty space, known as de Plats (De Plats), where they traded fresh fish. Later, at this place there was a small village and the first dam on Amusene was built, which was strengthened and became wide enough for the emergence of the city square, which was formed from two squares - Middldham and Platz.
Square ladies.

The main building on the square of the ladies is the former Amsterdam City Hall, now the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis), built by Jacob Van Kampen in the middle of the XVII century - the official residence of Queen Beatrix, which constantly lives in the Hague, but, coming to Amsterdam, stops here. For a post, the Royal Family has always made a symbolic fee to Amsterdam Vazna - one Gulden's old money in the old money, that is € 0, 45. This is one of the four palaces in the Netherlands, which Queen Beatrix disposes of the decree of Parliament.

The palace is decorated with a large dome, on the top of which is a vane in the shape of an old ship-cogg. Kogg is a symbol of Amsterdama. The Balcony of the Royal Palace In 1980, the former Queen of the Netherlands Juliana presented the new Queen to the people - Beatrix. Prince Villem-Alexander kissed this balconies to the princess Maxim on the day of their marriage on February 2, 2002.

On the square ladies are famous historical monument - National Monument (Nationaal Monument) - a majestic white obelisk with allegorical sculptures, 22 meters high, designed by the architect-modernist, a member of the De Steyl group, Peter Audom to perpetuate the memory of the Dutch on the victims of World War II. Opening took place in 1956.
Museum of wax figures Madame Tussao. Located in a huge building in the center of Amsterdam. The idea of \u200b\u200bcreating this museum in Amsterdam arose in 1997. It took three years for the fact that on January 12, 2000, to present the audience an exhibition of twenty figures that have compiled the basis of the museum. Now the exposition has more than forty figures and continues to constantly expand.

Museum of wax figures Madame Tussao is located next to the Royal Palace. Mary Tussao is owned by his name, which was born in Strasbourg in 1761. Her mother worked as a housekeeper from Dr. Phillip Kortis, engaged in wax models. It was he who taught Mary art to work with wax. In 1777, Maria Tussao creates his first wax figure. After the death of Phillip Kurtis in 1794, his collection moves to Tussao. In 1802, Maria Tussao moves to London, in 1835. Her first permanent exhibition took place. Maria Tussao died in 1850.

Nywe Kerk (Nieuwe Kerk) (New Church) - Calvinist Church of the XV century on the square of the ladies, next to the Royal Palace.

View of the church of Nyive-Kerk on the other hand. From the back facade Royal Palace In 1899, the building of the Main Post Office (he was also a hophoscient - hoofdpostkantoor). The author of the Chief Administration is the Government architect Cornelis Hendrik Peters. Since 1992, the Magna Plaza department store has been working here.

Department Store Magna Plaza.

If soon after the royal palace, turn with Nyvezyds-Furnover to the tiny syntheeg (Sint LuciNSTEEG), then through the big gate in brick wall You can get to the territory of Amsterdam historical Museum (Amsterdams Historisch Museum). This museum complex is located on the site of the former monastery of Saint Lucia (1414).

Rockin Street (from RAK-IN - "Inner Passage"), following the Begibe Amtela, leads from the lands to Muntplein - Square of the former city gates. Around the middle of Rockin, where the equestrian statue of Queen Wilhelmina is standing (1880-1962), Amustel River again appears from under the ground.

Equestrian statue of princess Wilhelmins on Rokin Street.

States with ancient heraldic traditions, for their official symbol chose the most beautiful elements. Today, the coat of arms looks worthy and stylish, demonstrating the facilitance of the traditions and the chosen constitutional system.

Rich palette

The coat of arms of the capital of the Netherlands are set aside in classical traditions, there are different elements in it. At the same time, it is impossible to say which of these are the basic, which play a minor role. The coat of arms consists of four main parts:

a stylish shield, weathered in black and red and white gamma;
two shield holders, predatory lions standing on the basis;
maiden city;
imperial crown.

The color palette, which was used to draw the elements of the stamp composition, cannot be called harmonious. Each of the parts looks stylishly separately, when it all together, it seems that the colors are too much and they do not look next to each other.

Symbols of individual parts and elements

Officially, modern coat of arms was approved by the Netherlands authorities in 1816, at the same time, looking at its elements, it becomes clear that the characters used are much more ancient.

For example, a shield shape and its color (fry), one nuance - in the center there is a black band with three white (silver) oblique crosses, the case is unique for heraldic practice.

Scientists still cannot nominate the unified version that they symbolize these oblique crosses. Part of the specialists relates them with the crosses of Andrei First-Called, the second, hints at natural cataclysms that the Dutch faced in the past, among these negative factors - plague, flood and fire.

Crown of Empire and Lions

Specialists in Heraldry say that the first crown appeared on the coat of arms of Amsterdam back in 1489, this is a gift of King Maximilian I. In 1508, the headdress was replaced, the crown appeared, which Maximilian himself was born in the image. After three hundred and this year, the monarch was replaced, this time on the Austrian imperial crown, which is present on the coat of arms to this day.

Shield holders, handsome lions appeared on a heraldic symbol of Amsterdam only at the end of the XVI century, they support not only the shield, but also the crown. The motto is written in a silver scroll, words can be translated as "Valor, courage, compassion." This motto added to the image in 1947, after the heroism of the Dutch, shown during the war with fascist Germany.

The fact that the symbol of Amsterdam is three crosses, many know. The fact that these are the crosses of St. Andrew and that they denote the valor, hardness and mercy (or, in another interpretation, water, fire and epidemic), know those who have read about it in Wikipedia. And about the fact that these crosses are productively used as part of many logos, only those who pay attention to it are known.

Three crosses are constantly constantly found on lampposts and small columns along the roads.

They are found on the urns and - in decoratively rethinking form - in the elements of urban structures (a pillar is made from the crosses). In the direction of souvenir shops, we will not even look :-)

The logo is present at the stops of urban transport and on the clock at stations. He is everywhere.

Perhaps someone is waiting for xxx value sexBut this is just not often found.

And then the most interesting begins. Let's look at this urn. Here are three vertically built crosses. And under it - some triangle. This triangle is a sector, an approximately showing area of \u200b\u200bthe city. From the center to the southwest.