Page 134 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Amsterdam

132 ❯❯ Amsterdam Area by Area

CoBrA Museum
7
Sandbergplein 1–3,
Amstelveen • Tram 5 to Binnenhof
• 020 547 5050 • Open 11am–5pm
Tue–Sun • Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr, 25
Dec • Admission charge
• www.cobra-museum.nl/en
This museum of modern art in
residential Amstelveen is the only
museum dedicated to the influential
Dutch movement conceived in 1948.
Its founders, including Dutchman
Karel Appel (see p49), amalgamated
the names of their home cities –
Copenhagen, Brussels and
Amsterdam – to create its name:
CoBrA. They wanted to promote art
that was spontaneous and inclusive,
and were inspired by the work of
primitives, children and the men-
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel tally ill. Paintings in the permanent
collection are shown in changing
Ouderkerk aan de
5 thematic displays, augmented by
Amstel
temporary exhibitions. The light,
Metro or train to Bijlmer, then spare building, by Wim Quist,
bus 300 opened in 1995.
There was no church in Amsterdam
Museum Het Schip
until the 13th century (see p34), so 8
people made the 11-km (7-mile) Spaarndammerplantsoen 140
journey to this picturesque riverside • Bus 22, 48 • 020 6868 595 • Open
village instead to worship at the 11am–5pm Tue–Sun • Closed 1 Jan,
11th-century Oude Kerk, which stood 27 Apr, 25 Dec • Admission charge
here until it was destroyed by a storm • www. hetschip.nl
in 1674. Convivial waterside cafés and A splendid example of the
res taurants are the chief lure these Expressionist Amsterdam School
days, but you can also walk in the of Architecture, this municipal
garden of an 18th-century house, housing block takes its name from
Wester Amstel, and visit an its ship-like shape. Completed in
unexpected site: the Beth Haim Jewish 1920, it was designed by Michael de
cemetery. Amsterdam’s Jews have Klerk, and is graced by all manner of
been buried here since 1615, when decorative details – from wavy brick
they were forbidden burial in the city. façades to the bulging, cigar-like
turret. De Klerk installed a post
Amstelpark
6
Europa boulevard • Metro 51
RAI or Tram 4 • Open dawn–dusk CITY OF CYCLISTS
This welcome green space to the Cycling comes naturally in a country
south of the city has a rose garden, that has more bikes than people. Theft
a maze and an art gallery, as well is endemic, so snazzy, expensive
as pony rides, farm animals and a models are avoided. Look out for: the
miniature steam train for children. huge bike shed at Centraal Station;
At its southern-most tip is the well- bikes being dredged up from canals;
tourists on yellow bikes; eight-men
preserved De Rieker windmill. Built “conference bikes”; and the
in 1636, it was a favourite of heart-shaped “love bike”.
Rembrandt’s, whose statue stands
nearby, and is now a private home.

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