Leidseplein Amsterdam

ORANGE & PURPLE ROUTE

Orange 1 & Purple 8: Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is one of the largest museums in Amsterdam. Built in 1876 to the design of architect P.J.H. Cuypers, and opened in 1885. Here you can marvel at the world-famous Night Watch by Rembrandt, the iconic paintings by Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals and other Dutch masters.

Orange 2 & Purple 7: Weteringwaterkeringsluisje
This little lock from 1657 is part of Amsterdam's impressive water control system. The locks are still sometimes used although they are fairly useless nowadays, only at high tide this lock is closed

Orange 3 & Purple 6: Spiegelgracht

The Spiegelgracht, located opposite the Rijksmuseum, together with the adjacent Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, forms the heart of the Spiegelkwartier, an area with many antique stores and galleries. The canal was dug in 1663 as part of phase 2 of the ring of canals.

Orange 4: Deutzenhofje
Hofjes were founded by wealthy citizens for the elderly. The Deutzenhofje at numbers 857-859 is one of the largest in Amsterdam. Agneta Deutz detested her son's behavior and decided to disinherit him. The hofje was founded in 1692 from her estate.

Orange 5: Stork
Do you see the stork above the door of one of the buildings (on the corner)? Indeed, a midwife used to live here

Orange 6: Amstel Church

The large wooden square building on the Reguliersgracht was an emergency church. It was erected in 1670 in anticipation of building blocks. In Napoleon's time the building served as a horse stable.

Orange 7: Arch Bridges - Photo alert!

Across the Reguliersgracht 7 identical bridges were built in a straight line. In 1901 they wanted to fill up the canal, but thanks to a protest group this beautiful vista was preserved. Perfect for a photo!

Orange 8: Arion
Keizersgracht nr. 615 has a beautiful neck gable, with the Greek Arion on it. He was famous for playing the lyre. Once he was in danger of drowning and was saved by a dolphin, lured by his beautiful music. 

Orange 9 & Purple 5: Leidsestraat
The Leidsestraat is a busy shopping street and is the second most expensive street in Monopoly. Only the Kalverstraat is more expensive.

Orange 10 & Purple 4: Facades Leidsegracht
At Leidsgracht nrs 72-78 you can see the different types of facades next to each other: a neck gable, a frame gable, a warehouse with spout gable and a stepped gable.

Scroll down for a photo of all facades.

Orange 11 & Purple 3: Paradiso

Here you cruise past the back of pop temple Paradiso, housed in a former church. This concert hall is famous for its special atmosphere and acoustics. World stars such as The Rolling Stones, Prince and Nirvana once performed here. In addition to concerts, dance parties and other events are held here.

Orange 12 and Purple 2: Vondelpark

You are now near the entrance to the largest city park in Amsterdam: the Vondelpark. It was laid out in 1865 by garden architect L.D. Zocher. In addition to lots of public greenery, there are also nice restaurants, an outdoor theater and playgrounds to be found. With a length of 3.3 km. the park offers all the place for residents and tourists to relax.

BLUE ROUTE

1. Starting point & ending point - American Hotel

The famous hotel is located on the Leidseplein and is situated next to the Stadsschouburg (not visible from the water) of Amsterdam. The famous Cafe in the hotel (American) has the oldest reading table in Amsterdam.

2. Singelgracht - Old city border

The Singelgracht was the city boundary in the 19th century. On the other side (left), where there is now a busy street, the pastures began. The first houses were built in the same style as the canal houses

3. Europarking & Waterkant

Project of Spencer Tunick in 2007 which was called Dream Amsterdam Foundation

The building consists of seven floors with a total of 700 parking spaces and was designed by the Dutch architect Piet Zanstra. The building has been nicknamed "Zanstra's buttocks" because of the spiral ramps. Because of these ramps, it is popular with skaters. Since 2014, café Waterkant - named after the quay along the water of the Suriname River in Paramaribo - has been located under the "wokkels".

4. Artists

The Lauriergracht is an artistic canal. Painters Govaert Flinck and Jurriaen Ovens, both pupils of Rembrandt, had their studios at no. 27. The Amsterdam painter George Hendrik Breitner lived at nr. 8. Today, at No. 6, the studio of a violin maker is located.

5. Red Deer Brewery

This former brewery, once located at Prinsengracht Nos. 353 to 357 and recognizable by the medallions with deer, was the first in Amsterdam not to use canal water for brewing beer. Fortunately, many followed suit.

6. The 9 streets

Since the 90s, these nine streets (3x3) on 4 canals are full of picturesque monuments, authentic stores and special restaurants. Once intended as a counterpart to the Jordaan.

7. Looiersgracht

The canal was created when from 1612 on the Brouwersgracht the ring of canals was dug in a southerly direction. From the beginning, the Looiersgracht was destined for tanneries, because the city government wanted to concentrate these businesses in one place, due to the strong detrimental effects of this industry on the living environment of local residents.

8. Tetje de Jong bridge

The bridge at the end of the Looiesgracht is named after Theodora de Jong (1918-1999). She was the first paid female police commissioner in the Netherlands. In 1964 she was appointed police commissioner in Amsterdam. This bridge is close to the 'Hoofdbureau van Politie' on the Elandsgracht.

9. The Jump

In 2013 Daniel Wedemeijer jumped with a real back flip here on his BMX over the Passeerdersgracht. Would you dare to make such a spectacular jump?

10. Amsterdam facades

At Leidsgracht nrs 72-78 (on your left) you can see the different types of gables next to each other: a neck gable, a frame gable, a warehouse with spout gable and a stepped gable. Scroll down for a picture of all facades