City of Amsterdam

one of the greatest small cities in the world, a city of museums and beautiful
sights, a place known for its tolerance and diversity
It all began when Amsterdam was just a fishing village
on a river bed – but its citizens quickly became expert
boat builders and brewers, attracting more interest in
this humble town.
 The city underwent massive
urban expansion, people became
interested in making the place
beautiful, which resulted in
building well known canals and
the Jordaan district.
Architecture
Old and new
Although the Netherlands remained neutral during World War I, they still felt a serious
food shortage. This is when the famous potato riots took place, and it was a turbulent
period in the history of the city.
Amsterdam is situated in a flat and
low-lying area. The Amstel River
flows from south to north through
the city. Parts of the city are below
sea level, some of them on land that
has been reclaimed from the sea or
from marshes or lakes.
Only about half of the city's
inhabitants are indigenous
Dutch, rest of them is mostly of
Surinamese, Turkish and
Moroccan origins.
"Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of
sin, but in truth, it is a city of freedom. And in
freedom, most people find sin." - John Green
 One of the most popular museums in Amsterdam is
Rijksmuseum. This is a national museum and it houses the
country's huge collection of rare art and antiquities. It
includes a million cultural artifacts dating from the 13th
century to the modern day. Along with its paintings, there is
also a library with thousands of books and manuscripts.
On the Prinsengracht stands Anne Frank house, dedicated to the all-too-short life of one
of the world's best known Holocaust victims.
Dedicated to the
often troubled life
and extraordinary
artistry of Van
Gogh, this is a
home to the
world's largest
collection of artist's
paintings and
artifacts, much of it
donated by his
brother, Theo, and
other family
members.
The Jordaan neighbourhood is the most popular of Amsterdam's neighbourhoods and is well-known
for its mix of residential areas with garden courtyards, lively markets, boutiques and restaurants.
The most
visited park in
Amsterdam –
Vondelpark - is
a green space
dotted by
peaceful ponds
and ample
paths. It is a
home to a
lovely rose
garden
featuring more
than 70
different types
of the flower.
Rembrandt and his wife Saskia spent the happiest
and most successful years of their lives in the house
in Amsterdam, now home of the Rembrandt House
Museum. It was here, in the Jewish quarter, that he
found models for his Biblical themes, and where he
painted the sights from his many outgoings along
the canals.