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Restoring The Grandeur Of Amsterdam
he monumental quality of Amsterdam is not a city of
the Amsterdam city centre churches and palaces, but of
is largely determined by monumental mansions. The only two
numerous 17th and 18th century houses in Amsterdam worthy of the
houses, once owned by wealthy name palace are the Royal Palace
merchants and prominent citizens. in the Dam Square and the
Moreover, the warehouses deserve Trippenhuis. And even these two
mention. Amsterdam warehouse were not commissioned by royalty
architecture is unique in the or aristocratic clientele.
world. Most of the state Originally, the Royal Palace was
controlled monuments, however, designed to serve as Amsterdam’s
are dwellings. The ring of canals town hall and the Trippenhuis was
is the location of approx. 2,200 built for wealthy citizens.
buildings, 1,550 of which are
listed as historic buildings. In the second half of the 19th
Amsterdam’s beauty is largely century this monumental body of
determined by the style of these Amsterdam was severely
buildings, better described as threatened. Canals were filled
“citizens’ architecture”. The in, streets were widened and
choice of this style was a bridges lowered. Many exceptional
conscious one. The aim of the buildings were pulled down in the
people of Amsterdam is to replace process of restructuring the
the Gothic style with its city.
vertical accents and religious
overtones by a profane Classicist In the 1950s plans were made to
style. The Royal Palace e.g. fill in canals and pull down
contains many supreme examples of historical buildings.
symbolism derived from Classical Fortunately, these plans were
Antiquity. only partially realized. The
Jodenbreestraat was widened and
alike policy were made with Approximately 6,700 “national
respect to the Sint monuments” (i.e. historic
Antoniebreestraat. However, the buildings preserved by the
successful restoration of the national government authority)
important Huis De Pinto proved a are located in this area, whereas
turning point. another 290 “municipal monuments”
are preserved by the Amsterdam
Large-scale projects affecting council. A further 1,160
the historical city centre in buildings fall outside these
order to accommodate the needs of categories. They are labeled
modern traffic are no longer to “original premises” because of
be anticipated. The monumental their intrinsic cultural
mansions which underwent drastic historical interest. The
alterations during the 19th and Amsterdam city centre is eligible
20th centuries, when many of them for a place on the UNESCO World
were turned into offices, are now Heritage List. After all,
being restored to their original Amsterdam is the proud owner of
residential functions. Since the one of the most important intact
Municipal Department for the historical city centers of the
Preservation and Restoration of world.
Monuments and Sites was founded
in 1953, over 4,000 premises The historic buildings are
underwent restoration. Almost 10% lovingly restored and saved from
of these projects were completed. destruction. The ring of canals
is to become once more the
About 20,000 buildings make up stylish residential area it once
the historical city centre. One was.
third was built before 1850.
About the Author:
Rahul viz recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.nl/city/nl/amsterdam.html?aid=305255 for more information on Restoring the Grandeur of Amsterdam.
Read more articles by: Rahul Viz
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