It was founded for the Beguines, members of a lay Catholic sisterhood. Nowadays there are no Beguines left, but the rules of this private property still only allow single women to live in the houses surrounding the courtyard.
This picturesque spot with its centuries-old houses and two chapels is one of Amsterdam’s favorite tourist sightseeing destinations. However, this has also caused a lot of tension between the Begijnhof and the City of Amsterdam.
The organization that runs the place says the peaceful nature of the private courtyard is compromised by hordes of tourists, some of whom have been loud and intrusive. But the city wants the Begijnhof to remain open to visitors.
Scaffolding advertising has long been controversial, with most people saying they are an eyesore.
In some cases they are a mixed blessing, really, as they sometimes cover up ugly buildings that somehow were allowed to be built.
The photo was taken at Singel canal. The houses shown line the floating flower market.
That’s why these girls are making an impromptu pitstop.
When you view the photo is a larger size you’ll notice how crooked the house at the corner is. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember, but more recently experts have warned that changes in the Dutch climate have lead to lower ground water levels, which in turn causes some historic houses in Amsterdam to subside.
Someone is bound to take the liberty to check that book out.
Picture taken last summer at a canal-side hotel in Amsterdam.
The concept: put a bunch of partying folks on a pedal-powered bar, which serves them beer while they bike their way through town.
What could possibly go wrong?
Note the reaction of the girl to the nearly naked guy on the beer bike — and her friend’s reaction to her.
The Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam is dominated by De Waag, the former Sint Antoniespoort (St. Anthony’s Gate), which used to be part of the Medieval defense wall built in 1481.
The Waag lost its defensive function in the early 17th century, when the wall was demolished.
The building was subsequently converted into a weighing house (Waag = weighing scales) meant to take the pressure off of the weighing house at Dam Square, which has become too small for the flow of goods coming into the city.
Small merchant ships and other vessels — which ferried goods from larger boats anchored in the nearby harbor — would sail up de Geldersekade.
Once unloaded the goods were weighed and then sold at the ‘new market’ = nieuwe markt, which explains the name of the square: Nieuwmarkt.
Every friday there is a second-hand book market at Spui in Amsterdam.
Most of the books are in Dutch, but there is a fair amount of English material, as well as some French, German, and whatnot.
While you can pick up some light reading, overall the market has an antiquarian character.
It’s a great place to pick up some wonderful books — and to people-watch at leisure.
Begijnhof Amsterdam
