Page 85 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Amsterdam

Oude Zijde ❮❮ 83

A DAY IN OUDE ZIJDE
Oude Kerk Museum Ons’ Lieve
Heer op Solder
Red Light
District
Binnenkant
Hash Marihuana
& Hemp Museum Nieuwmarkt
Montelbaanstoren
Bridges
Restaurant
Pintohuis
Café de
Sluyswacht
Museum Het
Oudemanhuispoort Rembrandthuis
Grimburgwal
MORNING
Montelbaanstoren As the Oude Kerk does not open
until 11am, start your day with a
Hash Marihuana
9 tour of the Museum Ons’ Lieve
Heer op Solder (see pp24–5).
& Hemp Museum
MAP P3 • Oudezijds Achterburgwal Although in the Nieuwe Zijde, it is
only a few steps from the Oude
148 • 020 624 8926 • Open Kerk (see pp34–5), which you can
10am–11pm daily • Admission visit afterwards. Then walk to
charge • www.hashmuseum.com Nieuwmarkt (see p81) for a break
Exhibits in this fascinating museum at In de Waag (Nieuwmarkt 4),
chart the history of hennep (hemp) where you can sit, overlooking the
from its earliest use some 8,000 square. Afterwards, make your
way to Oudezijds Achterburgwal
years ago to the 20th-century drug for the Hash Marihuana & Hemp
wars. As hennep, it was used in the Museum. Then follow the main
Netherlands for making lace, linens, drag of the Red Light District (see
fishing nets and fabric for sails, and p81), Oudezijds Voorburgwal, as
processed by special windmills far as Bridges Restaurant (see
called hennepkloppers. There are p64) for lunch.
displays about smuggling, an array
of hookahs and reefers, and a “grow AFTERNOON
room” where plants are cultivated. Walk down to peaceful
Grimburgwal and the House on
Stadhuis Nationale
0 the Three Canals. Head east to
Opera & Ballet
Oudezijds Achter burgwal and
MAP Q5 • Waterlooplein 22 • 020 625 cut through Oudemanhuispoort
5455 • Stadhuis: 14 020 • Open (stone spectacles mark the
entrance), browsing through
8:30am–4pm Mon–Wed and Fri, the second-hand bookstalls as
1–8pm Thu • www.operaballet.nl you go. Continue to Jodenbree-
The Stadhuis Nationale Opera & Ballet straat and the Museum Het
is nicknamed “Stopera” because it Rembrandthuis (see p81). After
combines the stadhuis (town hall) with your tour (Monday, Wednesday,
the headquarters of the city opera and Friday or Saturday) pop into
ballet companies. This red-brick, Pintohuis (see p46) for a glimpse
of the painted ceiling. Stop to
marble and glass building was built revive yourself at charming Café
in 1987 amid intense controversy, since de Sluyswacht (see p84). From
scores of medieval houses, among here, there is a lovely canal-side
Jodenbuurt’s few remnants, had to be walk, past the Montelbaanstoren.
destroyed. In the passage between Turn left and stroll along
the two buildings, a bronze button Binnenkant before heading
indicates the NAP (Normaal back to your hotel.
Amsterdams Peil) high water level.
See map on p80
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