HISTORY OF AMSTERDAM


Amsterdam, the greatest planned city of northern Europe, has always been a well-known name in world history and played a central role in the history of the Netherlands. In the 17^th century Amsterdam was the centre of world economy, and nowadays the city is known for its tolerant character.

From fishing village to commercial centre
Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century around a dam in the Amstel river. It developed quickly when the city organised a toll free entrance to the Dutch rivers which enhanced trade with the neighbouring countries. Amsterdam became a commercial centre: originally for the export of beer and herring. It was later called Europe’s warehouse. The profits attracted a lot of business to Amsterdam, especially shipbuilding and commercial firms. Amsterdam has always remained a city of immigrants.

The Golden age
The opening up of the trade routes to Asia with the VOC was the beginning of a period of great wealth. This was called the golden age and led to the flourishing in the areas of architecture and culture generally. The merchants lived in wonderful houses on the banks of the city canals. Rembrandt and other artists made paintings which are still regarded as the most valuable in the world.
When trade diminished in the 18th century the city also became worse off. But Amsterdam still remained an important European financial market. During the industrialisation chose trading luxury items such as diamonds, chocolate, cigars and beer. It became gradually better for Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum and the Concertgebouw were built. In 1928 even the Olympic Games were organised.

Anne Frank
The Second World War hit Amsterdam hard. Thousands of Jews were deported to concentration camps. Anne Frank, the girl who kept a diary while being in hiding has became a symbol for the war experiences of Amsterdam Jews. Many Amsterdammers died of hunger in the last winter of the war.
After the war Amsterdam became a tolerant capital city. There was a large hippie culture and soft drugs were tolerated. Despite recent social frictions in the multicultural society which resulted in the murder of film director Theo van Gogh in 2004 Amsterdam remains a free, cultural city with a tolerant atmosphere.

Wikipedia about the history of Amsterdam.

Buy a ‘city audio tour' for your own mp3-player.

Relive the history of Amsterdam in the Amsterdams Historisch Museum.

Visit Rembrandt's house and atelier.

See the art riches of the city in the Rijksmuseum. During the large scale renovation an exhibition consisting of the highlights is open to the public.

A stay in Amsterdam is not complete without a visit to the Van Gogh-museum.

The House of Anne Frank is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Amsterdam.