Green Amsterdam
For those of you who have visited the city center of Amsterdam but feel like changing atmosphere take the Plantage tour. You will be shown some of Amsterdam’s beautiful green and wide avenues, you will visit the zoo of Amsterdam, and be able to admire beautiful botanic gardens
The Plantage quarter is situated east of what used to be the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam, north to the new canals of the city.
The route detailed below may need more than one day but promises a wonderful experience with the more green but unfamiliar part of the city.
We start at the Visser square. Next to the square, the Jewish History Museum is located. A few walking steps from the square, along the main Plantage avenue, across gate A2, you can find the botanic gardens. The gardens used to be part of the University of Amsterdam till 1989. The gardens are not only breathtaking in its beauty but is also an historical site; The city of Amsterdam established them in 1638 in the proximity of what today is known as the Rembrandt square. They functioned as a medicinal herbs gardens for the doctors of the city of Amsterdam.
Today, there are more than 8000 different sorts of plants that are growing along an authentic canal, which creates a unique romantic sphere.
From the gardens, continue on the Plantage avenue. Turn left at the first street (Plantage Parklaan), Across the street, on the left side of the street, you will find an impressive park.
Cross the park, and turn right to Henrik Folkelaan. In house no. 9, you will find the Trade Union Museum for the diamond industry. The house was established in 1900. Take a close look at the impressive interior architecture and at the big diamond shaped object located at the top of the building.
From the Kerklaan, take left. The Resistance Museum is located in building 61. The exhibition describes Dutch resistance against the Germans in day-to-day life during World War 2.
After the visit, walk back to the Henrik Folkelaan, where you will find the main gate of the famous Artis Zoo. The zoo was established in 1838 and is one of the oldest zoos in Europe.
East to the zoo’s main gate, enter the main Plantage avenue. Then take right and cross the street; building no. 24 has an impressive front. This used to be the famous “Artis Theatre” established in 1892. In the beginning of World War 2, the Germans only allowed Jews to act in front of a Jewish audience. At a later stage, the Theatre changed its purpose and became a detention camp to all Jews around the country. At least 60,000 Jews passed through the theater on their way to the gas chambers. After the war, no more plays were shown in the theatre and at a later stage it became a memorial site for holocaust victims.
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