The homeland of Van Gogh and Rembrandt, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Paul Verhoeven and Anne Frank fought for their independence for 80 years, and received it in 1581. The Dutch are very hardworking people, and at one time they conquered part of the territory from the sea, because many cities stand on canals and dams. We will take a short tour of a small European country and visit the most beautiful cities of the Netherlands.
1
Harlem
A quiet, cozy town serves as the capital of the province of North Holland. This is another of the oldest towns in Europe, founded in 1245.
Acquaintance with Haarlem begins at the Grote Markt market square, above which the city hall and the Guard House, erected in the 13th century, rise. The train station is an architectural monument of a peculiar Harlem school.
Pictured: Haarlem Train Station
Like most cities off the coast, Haarlem is indented with canals through which elaborate bridges are thrown.
2
Utrecht
Our rating continues to once destroyed, and then carefully restored Utrecht. It was founded in the Roman period, which was confirmed by archaeological finds.
It is located in the very center of small Holland, and it was here that the famous Utrecht Union was signed, with which the unification of the Dutch provinces into a single state began.
The historical part is surrounded by unique two-story canals laid in the 13th century. Since 1982, the Oude Muziek music festival has been held in the squares and streets of Utrecht, bringing together tens of thousands of music lovers.
3
Delft
The city on the canals, whose name is translated from the Dutch language as “artificially dug channel”. In 1246, it received the status of a city, quickly becoming an important trading center of Northern Europe.
Many generations of citizens managed to maintain a unique historical center with buildings of the 17th century. In the city limits, ancient churches built in the Gothic style, the Town Hall building, city gates, preserved from the fortress wall surrounding the settlement, have been preserved.
Delft is famous for its porcelain, the production technology of which is rooted in the early Middle Ages. Blue-white bowls, vases and plates are known far beyond the borders of the country.
4
Leiden
The most Dutch city, as its inhabitants say, dates back to the beginning of the 10th century. There are practically no questions for tourists what to see in Leiden.
Everything breathes antiquity and national traditions. A network of narrow canals with embankments without parapets, houses clung to each other, as well as ancient churches.
It is in Leiden, among the many beautiful places and sights, that the famous sculpture stands at the Children's Hospital, which has become the famous Internet meme “Zhdun”.
5
Groningen
The first time the settlement was mentioned in a historical document under 1040, and today it is a city in which a little more than 190 thousand people live, of which almost 50 thousand are students of the University of Groningham.
The cheerful, cheerful Groningen is called the European capital of bicycles, and the largest bicycle parking is located near the campus. Among the knowledge stand out railway station, museum, as well as the stadium.
In the Dutch city, jazz festivals are held annually, and numerous cafes always play live music. The most interesting cultural site is called “Martini Plaza”, where famous world musicians perform.
6
Hague
The list of beautiful cities in Holland rightfully includes the amazing Hague. No wonder the royal couple chose this cozy town as a place of their stay.
The government, parliament and offices of international organizations are also located here. The country's third largest city was founded in 1230, preserving many ancient buildings in the city limits. It has two beaches with beautiful views of the sea expanses of the North Sea.
This city is familiar to motorists, as here is the best automobile Museum of Lauvman. Here is the headquarters of the international tribunal.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is an entertaining list of the strangest and most unusual museums in the world.
7
Nijmegen
On the river Baal stands the handsome Nijmegen, founded by the Roman legions of Batavodurum. Initially, it was a large Roman fortress protecting the Rhine Valley.
In the Middle Ages received the status of a free city, becoming a major cultural and commercial center of the northern territories of Europe. Tourists are happy to visit the Museum of the Falcon Compound, in the expositions of which are collected unique artifacts of Antiquity.
Nijmegen is officially recognized as the oldest city in the Netherlands, and judging by the reviews of tourists, it is a very comfortable and clean town. People come to it to feel the atmosphere of the Dutch heartland.
8
Harlingham
In the province of Friesland there is a city founded at the end of the XII century, and in 1234 received city rights. Today its population does not exceed 16 thousand inhabitants.
The main revenues to the city treasury come from the tourism business. The population is engaged in fishing, processing seafood, as well as in agriculture. The design of small cozy houses is made in the traditional national style.
The port city is famous for its snow-white lighthouse, towering above the sea bay. Tourists can rent a three-room luxury apartment in a lighthouse to view the beauty of the city from a height.
9
Hertogenbosch
In the southern expanses of the country is located Hertogenbosch, who is also called Den Bosch. The industrial, cultural center has preserved numerous historic buildings.
Among the attractions of the city on the Zuid-Willemswart canal, tourists note the Church of St. John, built in 1530. In the altar of the church stands a unique wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.
The only carnival museum in the world operates on one of the streets. Among the famous natives of the city, the famous painter Jerome Bosch, who took a creative pseudonym for the name of his homeland.
10
Leeuwarden
In this small town, the provinces of Friesland are located, and it dates back to the 10th century. Tourists are aware of Leeuwarden in that there is a leaning tower Oldehov, similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
People come here to see not only the unfinished tower, but also other architectural monuments. Every year, thousands of people come here to see the unique festival of dominoes, at which new world records are set each time.
There is a monument to a cow in the city, on the pedestal you can read a short inscription in Dutch, “Us ma'am”, which means “Our mother” in Russian.
11
Horn
The first settlements on the site of modern Horn in North Holland appeared in 716, and over time, a small settlement grew into a large shopping center.
The main square is called Roode Steen, and the famous cheese market has recently been restored. Five oldest streets diverge from the square in all directions of the world. There are beautiful churches in the city, and tourists consider Horn one of the most comfortable towns in the Netherlands.
There were also tragic events in history when masterpieces of painting worth more than $ 10 million were stolen from one of the museums. Recently, some of the paintings were discovered by Ukrainian nationalists, and returned to the country.
12
Rotterdam
The city was built at the mouth of the Newve Maas River, where it flows into the North Sea. The largest European port was first mentioned in documents in 1283.
In a large city, in addition to port facilities, there are attractions created at different times in its history. Majestic bridges stretch over the river, and streets and squares are decorated with sculptures and unusual fountains.
Today, the population of Rotterdam is more than 600 thousand people, and by its ethnic composition it is the most colorful city in the country. In addition, in 2009, the Muslim became the first burgomaster.
13
Eindhoven
At the intersection of the streams of Gender and Dommel, a small settlement was founded, the inhabitants of which in 1232 the Duke of Brabant granted the rights of urban settlers.
Now Eindhoven is the largest industrial and cultural center of the Netherlands, and is known all over the world by Philips. PSV footballers who gained a lot of European and world trophies also glorified their city.
The city has the largest museum of modern art, named after its founder, van Abbe. Since 1994, the twin city of Eindhoven is the main city of Belarus, Minsk.
14
Amsterdam
Our journey ends in the Dutch capital, which is comfortably located at the mouths of the Amstel and Hey rivers. Amsterdam is connected to the North Sea by the shipping Nordsee Canal.
The city received its status as the capital of the Kingdom in 1814. When visiting Amsterdam, first of all, you need to walk in the historical part of the city to see unusual dancing houses, as well as walk along the picturesque bridges.
The city of canals and bridges is known for its museums, among which the unique Van Gogh Museum and interactive Nemo stand out. Places where the Russian Tsar Peter Alekseevich was also noted here.
Pay attention to the main attractions of Amsterdam on our site most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article.
Summary
So we learned what to visit in the Netherlands. Everyone has their own preferences. Someone likes big and noisy megalopolises, while someone prefers to live in small towns surrounded by picturesque nature. In the Netherlands there is one and the other, and the beauty of the Dutch cities pleases the eyes of many tourists, and villages with traditional Dutch houses and preserved ancient mills resemble miniature cities with a quiet and measured life.