Jordaan, Amsterdam

Favorite thing: This area of the city is very nice. There are a lot of old homes dating back to the 14 and 15 hundreds. Also a good flea market where everything from clothes to art items and antiques can be found. There are also some nice coffee shops. This is a very nice place to walk on a Sunday.

Fondest memory: When I'm away from Amsterdam I miss most the feeling of really being a cosmopolitan European. Sitting at an outdoor cafe in the afternoon sun and sipping a glass of wine and watching the people stroll by. Anything goes in this city and you never know what you will see. Amsterdam.......never dull!

Favorite thing: The favourite district of many people is the Jordaan. It was built in 1612 for workers and immigrants. In the second world war, people in the Jordaan played an important role in the resistance community. Since the seventies, there is a nice mixture of 'Jordanezen', artists, students and yuppies.

The map shows the northern part of the Jordaan. A complete map and more info can be found on www.jordaaninfo.nl (in Dutch, click Stratengids for a map).

Fondest memory: Walking in the Jordaan with all its little houses, canals, markets, bars and shops is great. One of my favourite things to do on a Sunday afternoon.

Favorite thing: Keep an open mind. Be curious. Use common sense, but don't be afraid to explore. I stumbled into this beautiful church in the old town of the Jordaan by accident. The pamplet was written only in Dutch, so I still don't know much about this tranquil oasis. If you can teach me about this beautiful church, please send a note.

Favorite thing: The Jordaan is a neighbourhood in Amsterdam. There is an argument about where the name comes from.
Some possibilities:
- the Jordan river
- jardin, the french word for garden.

We took a guided tour through this neighbourhood. Our guide told a lot about the past and the present. In 1,5 hours we knew much about this area and visited places we have never seen before.

Favorite thing: The Amsterdam Jordaan is undoubtedly the most sung about, described and romanched town district of the Netherlands. Started as a district for the poor, today it is a favorite place for students, artists and young proffesionals.

This new inhabitants of the Jordaan, together with the people that stayed behind from the erarly days, made this neighborhood a pleasant place with a mixture of all kinds of styles and activities.

You can find everthing aboutt the Jordaan at:
English: www.jordaaninfo.com
Dutch: www.jordaaninfo.nl

Favorite thing: Walking through this neighborhood is an endless pleasure ... a huge variety of houses and shops and small 'brown' bars.