Amsterdam architecture walksAmsterdam architecture walks
Amsterdam architecture is astoundingly rich and well preserved in its densely built center. With the lay-out shaped like the rings of an onion, or even resembling tree growth rings, the city reflects its ages of urban strength, wealth and its outstanding beauty. Practically untouched by wartime ravages and by urban planners, the town is a 17th to 21st century showcase of human work and endeavour. It is both a museum town and a vibrant town.
CELEBRATING 400 years of the major Canals and Bridges. Prinsengracht. Keizersgracht. Herengracht. Singel. And their connecting canals.
A WONDERFUL WALK. Amsterdam boasts various groups of outstanding buildings which can be visited - moving about by foot, tram, bus or by private car. We may climb towers, do anything you fancy!
ANCIENT CHURCHES. The grand late mediaeval churches are the Old Church (in the Red Light District, open to the public) and the New Church (on Dam Square, open to the public, sometimes featuring special exhibitions). In taking this architectural tour of churches you will be able to read the outside and inside architecture like a book and you will also learn of the background story of the 1345 Miracle of Amsterdam, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the vilage and boosting the towns early growth.
RECENT ARCHITECTURE. We will also be able to discuss varied Dutch architecture from the 17th to the 21th century.
BRIDGES. Waterways and bridges have been bult in a variety of styles. We will indicate the major arteries, the flushing system and we will be able to pinpoint various types of moveable and permanent bridges, some of which have a major monumental and architectural significance.
CIVIC BUILDINGS. The oldest major civic architecture remains are the massive towers of which the Weighing Hall (Waag, at Kloveniersburgwal) is the oldest and most impressive. Town Hall, now known as the Royal Palace is by far the grandest (on Dam square). A little known treasure is the headquarter of the United East India Company and a more visible one was the HQ of the West India Company, both creating and reaping wealth for the inhabitants of this town.
CANAL HOUSES. Well preserved historic private residential homes abound on all major canals. The grandest and most opulent buildings are are situated on the four main onion-pattern canals, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel. Towards the Amstel river stand the 18th and 19th century additions to these canals. In the center sections near Leidsestraat are the sections where the high and mighty resided. By contrast, the private homes of artisans were situated in the side streets and in the cosy, tightly knit Jordaan district. There is a grammar of architecture and ornament design in the facades which may be read like a book. With one glance you may identify the century in which a building's facade was constructed.
COURTYARDS. Safe and secluded residential homes for the old, infirm and for needy persons were provided in so called enclosed Hofjes. Without a guide these are hard to find and appreciate. Each of these Hofjes has a founder and had a board of trustees and overseers.
RING ROAD modern architecture extenstion and AMSTERDAM SCHOOL? By car we will circle the Ring Road and the Bijlmer district in teh South-East to see the outstanding 20th and 21 st century architecture. We will be also able to visit the 1930's Amstel district to see the quality, the rhythmic facades and ornaments characterizing the Amsterdam School of architecture.
ANOMALIES We will see quirky anomalies in city planning like the new Town Hall and Opera building (Stopera) replacing the former jewish district and the Okura hotel, stranded quite forlorn in a residential part of town.
HARBOUR DISTRICT Daring and colorful sets of low rise and high rise buildings near the arbour fill the former docklands. Bridges show daring engineering ideas.
United east India walk.
Center of town walk.
Practical matters
Tour duration: 2 to 3 hours. We may go on foot. Or by bike.
Read a biography.
Amsterdam during World War 2 historical tour
Happy clients: In April 2006, Drs Kaldenbach guided a group of Mayors and Aldermen through town. He is often hired by journalists for a quick and in-depth picture of what is going on in town. One may choose to discuss present day social and political problem areas as well.
Read client testimonials.
Read a biography.
Meet a campanion for a day, a Friend in Amsterdam.
Optional added items
Chauffeur driven sightseeing (perhaps for a visit on another day) is possible to these venues:
a) the Rembrandt House, Amsterdam, for an in-deph guided tour.
b) the Rembrandt City Walk
c) the Royal Collection The Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, which houses several renowned Rembrandt paintings, including his 'Anatomical Lesson of Dr Tulp'. Vermeer paintings may also be discussed there. Clients are kindly requested to sign a legal waiver in case of transport in my private car. You will either be driven in the car of Mr. Kaldenbach, seating up to 3 to 4 passengers) or in a minibus (seating 4 up to 8 passengers). The minibus will probably be driven by Mr Hans Noltes of www.hollandexploringtours.nl / Hollandtherideway. Mr Noltes is both a geography teacher and a qualified taxi driver. During the ride he will be able to tell you fascinating details about landscape and human habitation.
d) After the summer of 2007 I may also take you to the fabulous privately owned Six Collection in Amsterdam. Up to that time the collection is not open due to rebuilding activities. The collection has been seen by very few visitors (there is a restricted entry only after obtaining formal permission passes). To the right hand top is a detail of the Portrait of Jan Six which will be housed in the private Six collection. In my experience it is one of the most stunning and outstanding works of art in the entire world.
About Art Historian Drs. Kees Kaldenbach.A biography. Drs. K. Kaldenbach has been featured in television and radio documentaries, including BBC 2 TV, Danish TV, NTV Japan and Radio Netherlands World Service. In July 2004 he was interviewed about Delft artists by Tetsuya Tsuruhara for the leading Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun. In 2004 and 2005 he acted in an advisory role to additional BBC2 teams. Kaldenbach has written extensively on Vermeer and 17th century Delft, on Van Gogh and on other art history topics.
Further information on vermeer is available on his large web site: www.johannesvermeer.info
It is a rare and unique privilege that the Rijksmuseum has linked from the main Rijksmuseum site to this site. Start at www.rijksmuseum.nl and select Collection, after which you choose Digital Collaboration and the Digital Vermeer House.
My home address for lectures (see red arrow below):
Map of Haarlemmermeerstraat, Amsterdam. Please note this tricky situation: there is another street in town that sounds almost the same: Haarlemmerstraat. Taxi drivers may take you to the wrong one - so please be specific. You need to go to my Haarlemmermeerstraat.
How to get there :
- by car: ring road exit S 106 towards the centre, then 1st to the right (paid parking)
- by trams 1 and 17; exit at Surinameplein
- by tram 2; exit Hoofddorpplein.
From the museum square or Leidseplein in the center it takes about a 10-minute tram ride.
Read client testimonials.
Contact information:Drs. Kees Kaldenbach , kalden@xs4all.nl
Haarlemmermeerstraat 83 hs
1058 JS Amsterdam
The Netherlands
telephone 020 - 669 8119
(from abroad NL +20 - 669 8119)
cell phone 06 - 2868 9775
(from abroad NL +6 - 2868 9775)
How to get there (after your booking confirmation!):
- by car: ring road exit S 106 towards the centre, then 1st to the right (paid parking)
- by trams 1 and 17; exit at Surinameplein
- by tram 2; exit Hoofddorpplein.
From the museum square it takes about a 10-minute tram ride.
Menu of tours.
Drs. Kees Kaldenbach, art historian, kalden@xs4all.nl Haarlemmermeerstraat 83hs, 1058 JS Amsterdam (near Surinameplein, ring road exit s106, streetcar tram 1 and 17).
Telephone 020 669 8119; cell phone 06 - 2868 9775.
Open seven days a week.
Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) number of Johannesvermeer.info / Lichaam & Ziel [ Body & Soul] is 3419 6612.
E mail esponses and bookings to art historian Drs. Kees Kaldenbach.
This page forms part of the 2000+ item Vermeer web site at www.xs4all.nl/~kalden
Launched April 15, 2004. Updated June 9, 2016.
