Rembrandtplein Area, Amsterdam

Want to take a break from walking, shopping and sightseeing? Then I recommend this place.

Whilst hubby went into the Rembrandt House, Birgit and I sat at the Rembrandt Corner and had a glass of wine. It was nice overlooking the canal and people watching.

The statue, sculptured by Royer, was erected here in 1876. This was the reason why the square changed its name.

The square itself, full of cafés, restaurants, night-clubs and discos, is usually crowded by day and noisy at night.

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The Rembrandtplein seems the center and heart of Amsterdam. Around it are cafes, restaurants, hotels and some wonderful statues.. not to mention the ubiquitous trams. It's a short walk to the Dam or south to the Ledesplein area. Cross the Amstel and the other side of the river is home to more museums and sites of interest.

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Here in the Rembrandt Plein (Rembrandt Square) is a statue of Rembrandt. Why have a statue of Rembrandt, that is easy to determine...come on you all know the most famous Dutch painter. But who in the world are all these smaller statues scattered around the base of Rembrandt's statue, are they like Santa's Helpers...are they apprentices???, or maybe guards?? I read somewhere that it mimics one of his paintings,does anyone know.
The area surrounding the square is filled with small restaurants where we enjoyed a cup of coffee and just watched the world walk by. I read that this is an area favored by the gay and lesbian crowd and the square has been used for gatherings. It is a beautiful area to visit.

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See the famous Rembrandt painting of the Night Watch - then see it in 3D at Rembrants plein
See all 22 characters in bronze & interact with the all singing, all dancing, all stabbing night brigade.

These statues were transported from Moscow to co-incide with 2006 celebration of Rembrandt year

The Rembrandtplein is a square in the innerpart of Amsterdam which once was named Botermakrt (Butter market). It got the name of Rembrandtplein after the square was honoured with a statue of Rembrandt Van Rijn, Dutch world-famous painter, created by Louis Royer in 1852. This statue was placed right in the middle of the square where for now you can see some more statues ...

These are the specially created statues of the world-famous painting The Night Watch by Rembrandt. Because this very day of July 15th, 2006, it is 400 years ago Rembrandt was born in Amsterdam. So it is obvious Amsterdam and Holland celebrate this day and the whole year of 2006 there will be events created for Rembrandt Van Rijn ... and around the Rembrandtplein which got the best clubs in the area to spend your night! Donot miss them >>>

Rembrandt 400 years - Amsterdam

This was the area we stayed in Amsterdam.

Our hotel was a short 3 minute walk away form this suare. A pretty square, with the foreboding statue of the artiste himself, Rembrandt.

As an artist myself, this was quite a special moment.

Throughout school, one learns all about the masters of art, architecture, sculpture etc... and so when you are in the area where the artist lived and painted, it is quite awe-inspiring.

The square has developed over the years into a centre for nightlife with the opening of various hotels and cafes.

We had firsthand experience of the nightclubs - not being into nightclubs ourselves - they kept us awake every night with really loud music. Especially this one gay club round the corner. It was maybe nice for them, but not for anyone trying to sleep within a half mile radius!

So, although a nice square, not a good place to sleep.

This is the major 'entertainment' area for rowdy Amsterdammers and out-of-towners. Bars chock-a-block with people singing along to Dutch folk songs at the top of their voices, and a few large disco's with heavy security at the door. Because all bars and disco's close at the same moment, sometimes things get out of hand a bit. Strangely enough the square is surrounded by major gay spots like the iT, and just off the square is the Halvemaansteeg, a small street packed with gay bars. No problems here, so maybe Amsterdam really is a tolerant city. Also nearby is Reguliersdwarsstraat, currently the hippest nightlife street of Amsterdam.