mycowboyavenue-blog

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Destination Amsterdam – The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish quarter of Amsterdam is dedicated to Jewish cultural, history, and religion, in the Netherlands. Historically Catholic nations in Europe in respond to Protestant reformation were expelling anyone from their country who worship differently and that included Jews.The ever-tolerant Dutch briskly welcomed Jews in their country. Jews found a safe haven in Amsterdam and Dutch used their business acumen to expand the economy and development of the country, particularly its capital Amsterdam.

 The Portuguese Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam was built in the 1670 mainly to serve Portuguese speaking Jewish community. It’s animpressive structure, survived the second world war and still active in service. The ten commandments of Jewish religion written in Hebrew still shinning down on the congregation of the Synagogue.  

Thriving in the Jewish quarter, the Jewish Museum also known as the Jewish Historical Museum offers a unique sight into a rich history which has been highly persuasive and linked in all parts of Amsterdam’s development. The Jewish Museum has an enormous collection of over 30,000 objects, documents, and works of art including pieces by Charlotte Salomon who is famous for her series of paintings named Leben.

HollandscheSchouwburga building also located in the Jewish quarter was originally a Dutch theatre, is a part of sad story of Jewish community during Nazi occupation in the Netherlands. The theatre was used as a deportation center during the Holocaust. In the assembly hall, there is a memorial remembering those who lost their lives in the concentration camps. The walls contain the family names who were assembled here before deporting to the concentration camps in the east.  

 The Jewish quarter of Amsterdam is located near the famous flea market of Waterlooplein. It is just a 20-minute walk from central station. There is also metro and tram connection from the central station.

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Museum District (Museumplein) – a charm neighbourhood of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is divide into 7 districts, in Dutch stadsdelen, which are further divided into several neighbourhoods. At first these neighbourhoods may seem confusing but they are really helpful when it comes to getting around. Let’s get to know the Museum Quarter and Vondelpark neighbourhood. Once a swamp, the neighbourhood is now home to some of the world's most famous museums, high-end shopping and fancy restaurants. One of the in famous Iamsterdam letters is placed here which become a landmark for all tourist to take picture with.

The area is home to the Van Gogh Museum, the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s artwork; the Rijksmuseum, famous for Rembrandt’s piece, “The Nightwatch;” and the Stedelijk, a modern art museum. Amsterdam Diamond Museum is also located in the Museumplein. After a long day of sightseeing, the Vondelpark is a peaceful area to wind down and relax. Vondelpark is the central park of Amsterdam with much things to do, to relax or to cycle around.

In addition to world’s famous museums, there is high-class shopping along the country's most famous fashion strip, P. C. Hooftstraat. The street is the home to some of the most famous, chic and top-end brands in fashion and accessories. Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Armani and Louis Vuitton are among the internationally known names.  The city's premier concert hall, the Concertgebouw, is here too, where there are often free concerts on Wednesday afternoon. For the party lovers though Leidseplein is located at a short walk from the Museumplein but there also server bars that deserves a visit. House of Bols is popular place for drinking cocktails.

This neighbourhood is mainly a residential area but there are several hotels to stay.Hotels near Amsterdam central station can be expensive due to central location. But you may find a good bargain hotel in the Museumplein and its surroundings. WIN Hotels Grouphas server hotels in the vicinity of Museumplein.