Amsterdam - Day 5

The first item on today's agenda was to visit the Anne Frank House.  Because it is so popular and small, you can't just walk up and buy tickets.  They release 80% of tickets exactly two months in advance at noon (Amsterdam time).  The remaining 20% you can buy online the day itself.  We really wanted to see the Anne Frank house so I ordered our tickets exactly two months in advance.

By luck, the Anne Frank house was just a short walk down the street from our hotel.   We passed by another fancy houseboat.
   
The Anne Frank museum is a must-see for any Amsterdam visit.  They don't allow photography inside so I'll have to just describe it.  I won't tell the story.  Go, see and hear it for yourself.  We did the 30 minute talk prior to touring the house.  I recommend it.  The young woman who did the talk did an outstanding job which prepared us well for what we were about to see.   You walk through the house on an unguided tour but there are things to read on the wall.  Then there is a small museum on the ground floor that shows a movie.  Afterwards, my feeling was that in this day and age it is hard to believe that such a thing could happen, and standing in the place where it actually happened was a moving experience. They have done an exceptional job of preserving the memory of Anne Frank and her family and not letting us forget so that it can never happen again.
   
I can't remember if this is the actual Diary Anne Frank kept or not.
   
Back on the streets and canals of Amsterdam.
   
Our next stop was the Amsterdam Museum.  I knew absolutely nothing about Amsterdam so I really enjoyed learning about the history of the city itself.  For example, the city was built over the Amstel River, hence the name "Amsterdam".   And of course Amstel Light beer comes from here too!  Who knew?
   
An unusual central area of the museum with historical paintings on the wall, a quilted carpet, and a big statue at the end.
   
The Dutch were accomplished seafarers.
   

The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's Golden Age, during which it became the wealthiest city in the western world.[37] Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the Baltic Sea, North America, and Africa, as well as present-day Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil, forming the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants had the largest share in both the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company. These companies acquired overseas possessions that later became Dutch colonies.  Amsterdam was Europe's most important point for the shipment of goods and was the leading Financial centre of the western world.  - Wikipedia
   
What the heck?
   
During the Napoleonic Wars, Amsterdam's significance reached its lowest point, with Holland being absorbed into the French Empire.  This painting shows Napoleon arriving in Amsterdam.
   
We headed over to the Museum Park which is surrounded by a bunch of art museums including the famous Rijks Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.
   
There is the Van Gogh Museum.  We found out that tickets have to be bought in advance.  Not a problem, we bought some for two days from now.
   
The Museum Park was a happening place.  Lots of people were out and about, walking around, or just laying on the grass.
   
We'll be back!
   

So we headed over to the Rijks Museum which is very large and not a problem getting in.

This is huge wall-sized painting of Wellington, just after his historical victory over Napoleon at Waterloo.
   
Zooming in on the great general.
   
To the side of the above painting was this painting of Napoleon.
   
Stern plate from a captured English ship.
   
The Dutch Navy was a major player back in the 18th century.  The Museum had lots of art featuring the Dutch Navy.   The Netherlands navy was involved in several wars against other European powers from the late 16th century, initially for independence against Spain in European waters, later for shipping lanes, trade and colonies in many parts of the world, notably in four Anglo-Dutch wars against England. During the 17th century the Dutch navy was one of the most powerful navies in the world.
   
Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, regarded as one of the most skilled admirals in Dutch history.  During the Anglo-Dutch Wars, he fought the English and French forces and scored several critical victories, with the Raid on the Medway being the most famous among them.
   
Huge Dutch ship model.
   
 
   
Dutch naval art.
   
More Dutch naval art.
   
The museum had this huge library.
   
Another ship model.
   
P27
   
P28
   
Rembrandt's famous Night Watch painting is being restored using this machine.
   
Rembrandt painting.
   
Big art gallery.
   
P32
   
Caravel in heavy weather.
   
Down in the basement was an impressive ship model collection.
   
Tireme.
   
 
   
I believe the ship collection had an example of every kind of ship sailed by the Dutch.
   
The fleet is underway!
   
On the top floor, there was even an airplane!  This airplane was built by the Dutch in World War I.
   
A shirt worn by Concentration Camp prisoners.   More than 100,000 Dutch Jews were deported to Nazi concentration camps, of whom some 60,000 lived in Amsterdam.
   
We checked out Dam Square which is the central public square and popular gathering place since the 17th century, flanked by the Royal Palace.  It was incredible -- jam packed with people:  street artists and tourists.  It reminded me a lot of the Fisherman's Wharf area in San Francisco.
   
That's the Royal Palace to the left.
   
Top of the Grand Palace.
   
Yep, very touristy.  Complete with Madame Tussaud wax museum.  You know, I haven't been to one since I was a kid.  I should go one of these days.
   
 The National Monument for the remembrance of World War II.
   
What's great about Amsterdam is that if you get tired of sightseeing you can always just flop down at the ubiquitous outside bar/cafes, order a drink, and enjoy the view.
   
A pretty day in Amsterdam.
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next