Page 83 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Amsterdam

Oude Zijde ❮❮ 81

Oude Zijde 1 Lastman. One room contains exotic
Oude Kerk
collectibles of the day – spears,
The oldest church in
Amsterdam has been altered and shells, Roman busts – as well as
extended a number of times over the Rembrandt’s precious art books
years, producing a heavenly jumble and a record of his effects (see p19).
of architectural styles from medieval Daily etching and paint-making
to Renaissance (see pp34–5). demonstrations – at no extra cost –
enhance the experience.
Nieuwmarkt
2
MAP P3
This vast open square has been a
marketplace since the 15th century,
and is still the scene of a weekly
organic market each Saturday.
Alone in the middle stands the bulky
Waag (1488), bristling with turrets.
The eastern gate in the city’s
defences, it was originally called
St Antoniespoort. In the 17th century,
AREA MAP OF OUDE ZIJDE it became a weigh-house and home
to numerous guilds (represented on
the doors), including the surgeons’
guild. It was here that Rembrandt
painted his famous Anatomy Lesson
of Dr Nicolaes Tulp (1632). There were
few problems acquiring bodies for Museum Het Rembrandthuis
dissection, since public executions
Zeedijk
took place in the Nieuwmarkt. 4
MAP Q2
Built in the early 1300s, the Zeedijk
(sea dyke) was part of Amsterdam’s
original fortifications. As the city
grew, the canals were filled in and
the dykes became obsolete. At No. 1
is one of the city’s two remaining
wooden-fronted houses, dating from
the 16th century. Opposite is St
Olofskapel, built in 1445 and named
for the first Christian king of Norway
and Denmark.
5
Nieuwmarkt’s centrepiece, the Waag Red Light District
MAP P2, P3
Museum Het
3 The world’s oldest profession
Rembrandthuis
occupies Amsterdam’s oldest
MAP Q5 • Jodenbreestraat 4 quarter, De Wallen, bordered by
• 020 520 0400 • Open 10am– Zeedijk, Kloveniersburgwal,
5pm daily • Closed 1 Jan, 27 Apr, Damstraat and Warmoesstraat.
25 Dec • Admission charge Today, it is one of the city’s greatest
• www.rembrandthuis.nl tourist attractions and a campaign
Using the detailed inventory drawn to make the area more attractive
up at Rembrandt’s bankruptcy in was launched in 2007. The council
1658, the museum has been has confined window-prostitutes to
reconstructed to look just as it did in two main areas, and encouraged
the artist’s time. Of special interest small creative businesses to open
are pictures by his master, Pieter up shop in their place.

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