Oude Kerk
When traveling to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, a visit to the Oude Kerk, the old church, is a must. The Oude Kerk is Amsterdam’s oldest preserved building. At this place there used to be a wooden chapel in a cemetery. The first stone church was built here in the 13th century, later a Gothic hall church. It was added and rebuilt again and again. The interior was destroyed in a fire. The medieval wooden vault was preserved, which means that the Oude Kerk offers exceptional acoustics. The floor of the church is worth seeing and something special.
It consists only of tombstones from the old cemetery on the grounds of which the Oude Kerk was built. After 1578 the Protestant Church took over the Oude Kerk. It was closed due to the risk of collapse and later renovated for 24 years. Colorful light comes into the church through the beautiful colored glass windows. The preserved organ is huge, otherwise the interior is puristic. Today the church is no longer used as a place of worship, but is a center for various events and exhibitions. A visit is possible during the day with admission.
The special feature of the bells of this architecturally interesting building is that they are a symbol of faith, hope, love and freedom. A carillon, a French carillon, is also part of the church. The bells are so heavy that they are only rung on special occasions so as not to damage this Amsterdam landmark.
The exceptional location of the Oude Kerk is often an additional reason to visit. This church building is located in the middle of the red light district of Amsterdam, which has always been on the sightseeing program when traveling to the city, since it has been part of a study trip, a private trip or a group trip. Of course, the royal palace, colorful markets, the imperial museum with its pictures by famous painters and the romantic canals are also part of a visit to Amsterdam.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is an art museum in Amsterdam that deals with the work of Vincent van Gogh. The largest collection by the Dutch painter can be admired there.
The Van Gogh Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the Dutch city of Amsterdam. It can be found in the Oud-Zuid district and houses a considerable part of the collection of the famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Every year the museum is visited by around 1.5 million guests. Around 85 percent of them come from outside the Netherlands as part of a trip. In addition, the Van Gogh Museum is an interesting destination for study trips.
The building
The Van Gogh Museum is made up of two buildings. The architect Gerrit Rietvald was responsible for the construction of the original part. When he died in 1964, his partners J. van Tricht and J. van Dillen continued the construction. In 1973 the museum was finally completed. Vincent van Gogh’s permanent collection is still in the two buildings, which are connected by a passage below ground.
Vincent van Gogh’s collection
After his death in 1890, Vincent van Gogh left around 1,100 drawings and 900 paintings. In 1960 the collection of van Gogh’s descendants was donated to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation. In this way, a large part of the paintings and drawings ended up in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Today, more than 200 paintings and 400 drawings by the great Dutch artist can be admired there. These include, for example, the painter’s self-portraits as well as great works such as “The Potato Eaters”, “The Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom in Arles”. The museum also presents an exhibition about Vincent van Gogh’s life and his friends and other artists who were influenced by him.
Works by other artists
Also worth seeing are the works of other famous artists on display in the Van Gogh Museum. The visitor can look at works of art by Gauguin, Alma-Tadema, Breton, Toulouse-Latrec, Monet, Millet, Jongkind or van Dongen, among others.
Delft
One of the most popular destinations for a trip to the province of South Holland is the city of Delft. It offers its visitors various interesting sights.
Delft is located in the southern part of the Rhine-Schie Canal between the Dutch metropolises The Hague and Rotterdam. The city is part of the Randstad agglomeration and belongs to the province of South Holland. Delft is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The old Hanseatic city, which was made famous by William of Orange (1533-1584), is visited by numerous travelers year after year. As a university city, Delft is also an interesting destination for study trips.
Delft and ceramics
Delft is best known for its ceramics, which are called Delfts Blauw. This white and blue ceramic has been made in the Dutch city, which has around 100,000 inhabitants, since the 17th century. The products range from flower vases to tiles. Around the market square the visitor will find a large number of souvenir shops, in which numerous objects are offered. You can also visit the last remaining factory in Delft, the Royal Delft. When visiting the factory, the guest has the opportunity to take a look at the manufacture and painting of the ceramics.
Attractions in Delft
The city of Delft itself can be seen as a sight. There is a large market square, various historical buildings and enchanting canals. One of the most remarkable buildings is the Oude Kerk (Old Church), which can be found in the center of Delft. Its tower sags, making it resemble the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The church with its colorful glass windows can also be visited free of charge.
The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is located on the market square. A permanent exhibition dealing with the history of the city can be admired in it. In good weather, the church tower offers a wonderful view of the historic center of Delft.
Those who want to explore Delft via its waterways should take a boat tour through the canals. The journey takes about 45 minutes and offers picturesque impressions.
