Hi Steemers, today i would like to give some attention to the beautiful city of Haarlem.
When people travel to The Netherlands, most of them go to Amsterdam, some might go to Rotterdam or The Hague. But not many of them go to Haarlem. When you plan a one day trip outside Amsterdam, Haarlem should be one of the first choices.
The charming medieval city is situated 20 km’s, 15 minutes by train west from Amsterdam, and it will surprise you with it’s amazing history, beautiful architecture, excellent restaurants and the highest number of museums per capita in The Netherlands. Once one of the most important cities in the country, it is a home to oldest museum and the oldest public park in The Netherlands.
Did you know?
City walk: must-see:
#1. Haarlem train station
Let’s start with the building you will probably see first when coming to Haarlem. It is one of the oldest train stations in the Netherlands and at the beginning of the 20th century it was connected with the city center with the first Dutch electrical tram. The beautiful Art Deco building was even starring in a movie, when it was portraying Amsterdam Central Station in ‘Ocean’s Twelve’.
#2 – Grote Markt
The main square in Haarlem has a beautiful historical layout and many interesting buildings.
It is one of the most beautiful churches in the Netherlands and definitely a central point of the square. It is home to the graves of many notable Haarlemmers, among them the famous painter Frans Hals.
Next to the St. Bavo’s Church is the statue of the alleged inventor of printing press. He claimed he invented it at the same time as Gutenberg, but couldn’t prove it. However, some people credit him as a true inventor of it.
One of the most spectular buildings in Haarlem is the City Hall which was built in 1370.
Built in the 13th century, it is the oldest building in Haarlem. When it was first built it served as a city hall, after that, it had several purposes (printing shop, home of some noble families, headquarters of the civic guard, jail etc.).
#3 – Frans Hals Museum
One of the famous Dutch Golden Age painters Frans Hals, lived and worked in Haarlem. The museum is telling his story and displays many of his works. It is definitely not to be missed!
#4 - Teylers Museum
The oldest museum in the Netherlands is located in a beautiful classical house at the Spaarne River. It contains a number of works from Michelangelo and Rembrandt, together with natural history collection.
#5 - De Adriaan Windmill
The original windmill was built at the end of the 18th century, but after it burnt down, it was rebuilt in 2002. There is a small museum inside it and a nice restaurant with a great view at the river Spaarne just next to it.
#6 - St. Bavo Cathedral
Sometimes it seems like Haarlem has two cathedrals, but the story is, when Saint Bavo Church (the one on the Grote Markt) was converted to Protestantism in the 16th century, it was first replaced with the smaller St. Joseph’s Church, until in 1895 a new cathedral was built. It is a bit outside the city center, but only 15 minutes walk from the main square.
It is also famous for…
#1 – Beer brewing
Beer brewing was one of the most important industries in the city. The water for the beers was taken from the canals in the city until the 16th century. It was a major beer producer in the Netherlands (in 1620 there were around 100 breweries in the city). In the 1990's some of the old beer recipes were revived under the new Jopen beer brand, that is marked as a ‘Haarlem bier’. In 2010 Jopen opened a brewery and restaurant in a former church in a central Haarlem called the Jopenkerk.
#2 – Bloemenstad (‘Flower City’)
Also known as a ‘Flower City’, Haarlem was an important trading centre for the tulips from the 17th century (the time of ‘tulipmania’). Flower parade throughout the city is organized annually in April.
#3 – Saturday Market
Each Saturday a large food market with a variety of fresh fish, meat, vegetable, flowers, sweets, cheese and other local products is taking place at the Grote Markt. There is one smaller market next to former V&D building (at Botermarkt) which has good choice of organic products.
Take a walk
#1 – Stroll around the Medieval city center
Get lost in the small streets around the Grote Markt. They are filled with small shops, restaurants and bars. Haarlem was declared to be the best shopping city in the Netherlands many times, so you will find a lot of interesting items there.
#2 – The Haarlemmerhout
Situated in the south of the city (around 10 min walking from the main square), this is the oldest park in the Netherlands. It has an animal farm inside it, children playground and a nice pancake restaurant.
#3 - Provinciehuis
Next to the Haarlemmerhout is the beautiful “Provinciehuis” or “Paviljoen Welgelegen”. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and was built between 1785 and 1789.
I hope you enjoyed this little tour through the city of Haarlem. If you ever plan a trip to The Netherlands, make sure Haarlem is part of it, you won’t regret.
