Category Archives: Amsterdam highlights

Amsterdam: active, open and honest

NDSM area Amsterdam

festival seen from above at ndsm wharf amsterdam

The former shipyard NDSM (Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij), is an absolute creativity hotspot. Many artists studios, start-ups, concerts and activities.
In the 1970s, the shipbuilding industry in Amsterdam North disappeared. A desolate industrial landscape of 32 hectares was left behind.
Now NDSM area Amsterdam is a breeding ground for creative companies in the fields of visual arts, design, theatre, film, media and architecture.

ndsm.nl

Muiderslot Castle Amsterdam

Muiderslot castle amsterdam surrounded by water and gardens

The Muiderslot Castle Amsterdam is a beautiful castle, and it is also beautifully situated on the river Vecht and the former Zuiderzee. Because of its location on the river Vecht, Floris V, Count of Zeeland and Holland, was able to collect tolls.
In the golden age, the owner and poet P.C. Hooft, the ‘Dutch Shakespeare’, made the castle into an intellectual artistic center. The writer received here many prominent men of literature, artists and scientists.
It is also part of the ‘Hollandse Nieuwe Waterlinie’, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is massively built like a square medieval castle with a tower on each corner. With a moat and bridge it is very impressive. The 700-year-old castle is one of the best-preserved ones in the Netherlands.
Muiderslot is more than just a castle. The old castle is surrounded by water and greenery. The herb garden and vegetable garden are very worthwhile to visit.

muiderslot.nl

New Church Amsterdam

interior of the new church amsterdam with stained glass windows and pictures of the royal weddings

On the north side of Dam Square is the Nieuwe Kerk (new church amsterdam), from the 14th century.
The Dutch Kings and Queens are inaugurated in this church. The Dutch royal house is very modest, there are only inaugurations and no coronations.
Today, the church is also mainly used as an exhibition center, including the World Press photo exhibition.

the new church amsterdam