Haarlem (Netherlands) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Haarlem with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Haarlem (Netherlands)
In 1572-1573, Haarlem was besieged by the Spaniards. During a long seven-month siege, the city was captured and plundered. In 1576, Haarlem was again almost destroyed by fire. Interestingly, despite all the troubles and destruction, the city was constantly reborn and rebuilt.
In the 16th and 17th centuries there is a rapid economic growth that marks the golden age of Haarlem. The city becomes one of the centers of the textile industry, famous for its shipyards and manufactories. During this period, Haarlem was chosen by many famous artists: Adrian van Ostade, Jan Steen, Isaac van Ostade, Job Berkheide. In the 17th century, the city became one of the centers for the cultivation and sale of tulips. With the rise of Amsterdam and the decline of the textile industry, Haarlem's importance declined. After that, he was always in the shadow of the magnificent capital of the Netherlands.
Attractions
Big market (Grote Markt) - main Town Square Haarlem and the heart of the old city. The area is surrounded by beautiful old buildings. The central building is the church of St. Bavo.
Church of St. Bavona is an impressive Gothic-style medieval church that has been the heart of the city and its main attraction for centuries. The current building was built between 1370 and 1520. After the Reformation, the church became Protestant. This late Gothic cruciform basilica with 15th-century transepts, choir and pulpit from 1499. Its most interesting feature is its magnificent organ, which is considered one of the finest detailed instruments in the world. This organ was played by the brilliant Mozart.
Opposite the church of St. Bavona is home to the town hall (Stadhuis), the oldest parts of which date back to 1250. Later elements such as the outer staircase, the north wing and the neoclassical façade were added in the early 17th century. The tower was rebuilt in the style of historical authenticity in 1913.
meat hall The Butcher's Hall (Vleeshal) is another interesting historical building in the Great Market, built in the 17th century in the style of the Dutch Renaissance. This building was the only place in the city where fresh meat was allowed to be sold.
The Amsterdam Gate is one of the oldest and most impressive sights in Haarlem. This is the only surviving city gate of the 20 similar structures of the old city. They were built at the beginning of the 15th century and are national monument. The gate has two octagonal towers and two round towers. Also here are the remains of the old city walls.
Catholic Church of St. Bavona is a basilica built between 1895 and 1906. The church has fine stained glass windows as well as sculptures and paintings by famous Dutch artists. A small museum has been created in the former sacristy, allowing visitors to see some historical artifacts from Haarlem's Catholic past.
The New Church is an old religious building from the 17th century with an elegant Renaissance clock tower from the 18th century. Inside is the magnificent baroque tomb of William of Orange (although he himself is buried in Delft).
The windmill on the Sparna River is a replica of the original windmill from 1778, built on the foundations of an ancient defensive tower.
Haarlem is more beautiful than Amsterdam! That's all you need to know about this city 🙂 No, not everything. It is in Haarlem that our friends Richard and Caroline live, it was from them that we were infected with the heretical idea that Haarlem is better than Amsterdam, and it was at them that we stayed during our trip to Holland. Therefore, perhaps, we know Haarlem better than other cities in the Netherlands. In today's article, we will share this knowledge with you.
City of Haarlem, Netherlands: attractions, photos and hotels, what to see and how to get there
About Haarlem in a nutshell
In our ranking of the most beautiful towns Holland Haarlem is on the same (first) line with Delft. The population of Haarlem is 150 thousand people, it is located just 20 km west of Amsterdam. Sometimes this city is called Haarlem or Gaarlem, and it is in his honor that the famous New York district of Harlem is named. Yes, the Dutch once lived there)
Like many small (by Russian standards, of course) cities in the Netherlands, Haarlem has retained its medieval architecture and unique appearance. In Haarlem and its environs, several old mills have been preserved, on the stunningly beautiful Grote Markt, a market has been raging on Saturdays for many centuries, and the local Bakenessergracht canal is considered the most beautiful in Holland. Who is considered, you ask? Harlems, of course!
And in general, as it seemed to us, the inhabitants of Haarlem (including) not only love their city and are proud of it, but also look a little down on a noisy, hectic neighbor named Amsterdam. In Russia, something like this, of course, is hard to imagine (“The inhabitants of Mytishchi look down on Moscow,” how do you like it?). But for Holland this is a common thing, and there is even something to love and be proud of in Haarlem. It's not just very beautiful city, where an ordinary walk through the streets can bring aesthetic pleasure: there are a lot of interesting sights here. We will tell you about them now.
Probably my favorite photo of Haarlem.
The main attractions of Haarlem
Over its thousand-year history (the first mentions date back to the 10th century), Haarlem has acquired many interesting places. There are plenty of attractions in Haarlem, here we will briefly talk about the 5 main ones, a link to a more detailed article is waiting for you below.
Grote Markt main square
A small but very beautiful Grote Markt market square is not one, but a whole set of attractions! After all, several interesting historical buildings are located on this square at once. The most famous of them are the Church of St. Bavo, the Town Hall, the House of the City Guard and the Meat Rows (former meat market, now a museum). As already mentioned, on Saturdays it takes place here food market where you can buy any food, from cheeses and herring to fruits and vegetables.
Church of Saint Bavo
The main church of Haarlem deserves a separate story. This Gothic temple was built in the 14th century, but was badly damaged by fire and was restored in XV-XVI centuries, and in 1961, after another restoration, it was returned to its original appearance. The height of the bell tower is 80 meters. The organ of the church of St. Bavo is considered the most beautiful in the world, it was played by Mozart, Handel and Mendelssohn.
On Saturdays, there is a market on the Grote Markt near the church of St. Bavo (pictured in the center).
amsterdam gate
The Amsterdam (or West) Gate is the only one of the twelve gates of the city wall of Haarlem that has survived to this day. Built in the 14th century, at that time the road from the capital to Haarlem passed through them.
It was from these gates that the good old Haarlem once began.
main station
As in many European cities, Haarlem train station is a real work of architectural art. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century on the oldest railway line in the country, Amsterdam-Haarlem. In 2004, several scenes of the film Ocean's Twelve were filmed here.
In the Hollywood blockbuster, the Harlem station "played" the Amsterdam station, where the heroes of Brad Pitt and George Clooney were waiting for the train.
Hadrian's Mill
The local industrialist Adrian de Boys, after whom the attraction is named, built a huge beautiful windmill in 1779. IN different time cement, paint, snuff were produced here, and even (you won’t believe it!) Grinded grain, and in 1932 the mill burned down completely. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was restored according to historical drawings, and now it again adorns the banks of the Sparna River.
The 30-meter Adrian Mill (De Adriaan) is also an excellent Observation deck from where it opens panoramic view to Harlem.
And in Haarlem there is the most beautiful canal and the most old museum Holland; the red light district and the brewery in the church! Details are in our article:
Map of Haarlem with attractions
How to get to Haarlem from different cities in Holland
As already mentioned, the distance between Haarlem and Amsterdam is only 20 km. And if the devil's thirst for adventure has brought you to the capital of the Netherlands, you simply must make the handsome Haarlem happy with at least a one-day visit. It is easy to get to Haarlem and from other cities. We will briefly talk about how to get to Haarlem from the main cities of Holland, as well as the cost of tickets and travel time. Check the train schedule and current prices on the website Dutch Railways .
1. How to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem
The most convenient way to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem is by train from Amsterdam Centraal station. Travel time - 15-20 minutes, ticket price - from 4.5 euros, trains scurry one after another.
2. How to get from Eindhoven to Haarlem
There are no direct trains from Eindhoven to Haarlem. You need to go with a transfer at the Amsterdam Centraal station (as a rule, it takes no more than 15 minutes). Ticket price - from 22 euros, travel time, including transfers - an average of 1 hour 45 minutes.
3. How to get from The Hague to Haarlem
But from The Hague to Haarlem full of direct trains. The journey takes from 36 to 43 minutes, the price of a second class ticket is 8.9 euros.
4. How to get from Haarlem to Leiden
And here everything is very simple and convenient: trains between the Haarlem and Leiden Centraal stations run constantly, the journey takes about 20 minutes, the ticket costs from 6.2 euros.
Haarlem is the same Holland that travelers dream about at night.
A photo of Haarlem is a classic image of the Netherlands: boats, canals and low "triangular" houses.
There are never enough Dutch houses!
Where to stay in Haarlem
Hotels in Haarlem are a separate issue: when coming to Holland, many travelers (like us) prefer to stay here rather than in Amsterdam. Because it’s cheaper and the city is beautiful, and it’s also convenient to get to many places from here. beautiful places: The Hague, Leiden, Delft and this one, like him ... Exactly, Amsterdam! The reverse is also true: many of the tourists you meet on the streets of Haarlem stop in Amsterdam and come here for a day - to wander along the beautiful streets and take a break from the eternal bustle of the city of sins and crazy cyclists.
On the Dutch (did you know about it?) booking system Booking.com you will find hundreds of hotels for every taste and budget in each of these cities. Choose, book and have a happy trip to visit the old lady of Holland!
Even on weekends, when the streets are full of people, Haarlem remains a quiet, calm town. Compared to Amsterdam, of course.
For small town, Haarlem is teeming with cultural attractions, and the size of the city means eager sightseers can visit a few of its amazing places within one day. These museums, galleries, restaurants and attractions are located in the medieval center of Haarlem, a place that is an architectural treasure in its own right. Haarlem was the birthplace of Dutch Golden Age painting. IN Frans Hals Museum the largest collection of paintings of that period is kept, with a special focus on the work of the master, after whom the museum was named. These fabulous works of art are displayed in the museum's huge gallery, which is located in a former nursing home founded in the 17th century.
After World War II, the Frans Hals Museum decided to relocate its growing collection of contemporary art. These paintings and sculptures are displayed in a former 17th-century meat market that has been converted into an exhibition space and renamed "De Hallen". Today the museum specializes exclusively in modern fine arts, its collection includes more than 10,000 exhibits. De Hallen aims to showcase promising talent and regularly hosts solo exhibitions of pioneering international artists.
Taylor Museum was founded in 1778 after a local wealthy merchant named Pieter Teyler van der Hulst bequeathed his fortune and private collection to a foundation dedicated to the development of religion, science and the arts. Since then, the museum has preserved an incredible amount of fossils, engravings and artifacts in its original form. The museum was originally part of the Taylor estate and the building itself is a marvelous example of 18th century architecture.
Haarlem has always been a prosperous city and in the past was an important trading center. One of its main exports was beer, a drink that had been perfected by the city's master brewers. IN jopenkerk the fascinating history of this foamy drink is presented, the local tour of the brewery ends with a beer tasting. Molen De Adriaan Museum located under the largest windmill in Haarlem and provides a fascinating insight into the history of these iconic Dutch machines. The mill is located on the side of the Haarlem canal and has been part of the urban landscape since 1778. The visit includes a guided tour of this colossal landmark and access to a twelve-meter balcony windmill, which overlooks the medieval center of Haarlem.
Ancient church of john was turned into a museum by the Dutch government in 1936. It was originally used by the Catholic Church as an archive that contained hundreds of priceless religious paintings. Many of these objects have survived and are currently on display along with other important sacred artifacts. Het Dolhuis Museum dispels myths around mental illness. His exhibitions challenge the perception of the boundaries between sanity and insanity and contribute to the formation of new, forward-looking views on psychiatry. The museum's collection reveals the history of this relatively new scientific discipline, representing a large collection of tools related to this area. It also hosts regular temporary exhibitions that focus on the aspect of mental illness.
Main square of Haarlem Grote Markt with a huge Church of Saint Bavo located in the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but also several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square, and when the weather permits, outdoor cafes fill it. The impressive Gothic-style Saint Bavo Church has been the heart of the city and its main attraction for centuries. Situated right in the center of the Grote Markt, it was originally built as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559 the building finally became cathedral Diocese of Haarlem, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and has been a Protestant church ever since. In the interior of the church, a large part of the ancient interior has been preserved, including the great Müller organ, which was played throughout its history by Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous personalities. When this organ was built, it was the largest in the world, prompting Herman Melville in his famous novel Moby Dick to compare the inside of a whale's mouth to the many pipes of the great Haarlem organ.
Haarlem is only 20 kilometers from Amsterdam. Therefore, a trip to the city by bike is an exciting idea for the weekend. The cycling route between the cities crosses several scenic spots, including a rural town called Zwannenburg. In addition, Haarlem borders on a huge national park which extends all the way to the sea. Cycling through this vast green space is a pleasure.
Haarlem, a small provincial town in the Netherlands, located on the Spaarne River just 7 km from the North Sea coast and 20 km from Amsterdam, is the capital of the province of North Holland. This city may eventually become one of the cultural capitals Old World and take a place on a par with London and Paris.Despite the fact that Haarlem is located in the heart of the Dutch industrial region, the city lies in a very picturesque place close to the coastal dunes and the world-famous Dutch tulip fields. Haarlem, known as the "City of Flowers", is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.
The population of this suburb of Amsterdam is about 147,000 people. The municipality of Haarlem also includes part of the village of Spaarndam, a newer residential area that is part of the municipality of Haarlemmerliede in Sparmwood.
The earliest mention of Haarlem dates back to the 10th century. The city's name comes from "Haarlo-heim" or "Harulahem" which means "a place on the sand covered with trees and higher than others". A small river, called "De Beek", originating in the peat bogs west of the Spaarne River, was used as a drainage channel by the townspeople. Over the centuries, Beek was turned into an underground canal as the settlement grew larger and there was more and more need for an area to build on. By the 12th century the settlement had become a fortified city and Haarlem became the seat of the counts of Holland. On November 23, 1245, Count William II granted the Charter of the city to Haarlem.
The life of Haarlem has always been difficult: natural disasters and war have been added to the daily struggle against the eternal enemy - the sea.
The first buildings of the city were built of wood, and fires were a big problem for the city. In 1328, almost the entire city burned to the ground. Sint-Bavokerk was badly damaged and it took more than 150 years to rebuild. The next fire, on June 12, 1347, again destroyed the city, and the third great fire, in 1351, destroyed many buildings, including the count's castle and the city hall.
The siege of the city during the Protestant uprisings is memorable for its duration and tragic episodes: the son of the Duke of Alba, Don Federico, besieged the city from December 11, 1572 to July 13, 1573. Haarlem, relying on the promised help of William the Silent, courageously resisted throughout the terrible winter, but soon the famine became unbearable. The murder of William of Orange by the Spaniards, the defeat of his fleet and the decline of morale in the army, whose help was so counted on, led to the capitulation of the city, which, however, hoped for an honorable peace. This did not happen: the Duke of Alba made him pay dearly for the seven months of the siege and the casualties he suffered, he brutally cracked down on the 1800 survivors of the siege.
But the city was able to quickly revive and in 1577 received the army of the States General. Thus began a golden age of prosperity for Haarlem, which reached its climax in the 17th century. The city owes its prosperity to trade. After the liberation from Spanish domination, the city cash desk from the 17th century began to replenish with income from the tulip trade. The most important employers of the city are large enterprises of the chemical industry and workshops that perform graphic work.
At this time, he became famous for the artists who were born or lived in it, their most prominent representatives are Frans Hals and Jacob van Ruisdael. It was Frans Hals, his great son, that Haarlem dedicated the museum, founded in 1862, but finally settled in 1913 in the Oudemannhaus, a former nursing home built in 1608 (architect Lieven de Kay), where Hals himself died. Also in the 17th century, more precisely in 1636, tulip culture was born in Haarlem: the endless "bloomenvel-den" - flower fields spreading south of the city, from April to May, are an unimaginably beautiful sight.
In addition to this natural beauty, there are many more beautiful monuments in Haarlem and, above all, the Stathaus - the ancient residence of the counts of Holland, founded in the middle of the 16th century. and completed in 1620-1630. (architect Liven de Kay), although tradition dates it to the 13th century.
The city is known for its hofjes: almshouses that were built in courtyards. They were mostly privately funded buildings for elderly single women. There are currently 19 hofjes in Haarlem; many are open to the public on weekdays. Many hofjes still belong to their original holdings, and are still primarily for single (older) women.
The center of the historic city core - the Grote Markt square - is surrounded by representative medieval and Renaissance buildings. In that historical center, rises the majestic Grote Kerk, better known as St. Bavo's Cathedral, built in the late Gothic Brabant style on the site of a previous building of a more modest size, burned down in 1328. A real treasure has been preserved in the interior: the famous organ with three keyboards, 68 registers and 5000 pipes, created in 1738 by Christian Müller with a decorative finish of the case, designed by Daniel Maro. This organ was played by Mozart, Handel, Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Next to the cathedral is Vleishal (or Vishal) - an old meat market: a brick and red stone building built in the Renaissance style (architect Lieven de Kay, 1602-1623).
To touch the glorious military history of Haarlem, admire the majestic Amsterdam Gate - this is all that remains of the city walls of the XV century: a square tower with two octagonal towers on the sides and protruding forward, two powerful round towers connected by a passage. Another curious detail of the rich history of the city: here in the second half of the 15th century, at the same time as Johannes Gutenberg in Germany, Laurens Janzon Koster invented printing.
You won't be bored in Haarlem. In the city center is the Toneelschuur Theatre, a building made of wood, brick and glass, which one of the leading magazines called “the most beautiful theater in the Netherlands”. The author of the project is the famous cartoonist and a native of these places, Joost Schwart. Not far away is the restored building of the Philharmonic, in which at the beginning of the twentieth century. conducted by Ravel and Stravinsky.
According to national surveys, Haarlem has the most restaurants per capita and the best shopping compared to other cities in the Netherlands. Not to mention the most attractive feature of Haarlem: it is the greenest and safest city, located on the very North Sea. In the same place, on an area of 2500 hectares, national park Kenmerland, where among sand dunes, quiet backwaters and deserted beaches live herds of wild horses.
Brewing was a very important industry for Haarlem. The heyday of brewing in Haarlem was in the 1400s, when there were no less than 100 breweries in the city. The beer brewed in the city is called Jopenbier, or Jopen for short, after an old type of beer barrel.
Jopen Koyt and Jopen Adriaan are based on old recipes from 1402-1407 respectively. Jopen Adriaan is named after the windmill, which was reopened in 2002.
The oldest buffet in Haarlem is Het theehuis, but it's not the only one with a long history.
It is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and has been in existence for over a thousand years. It retained a lot historical monuments, but we have compiled for you the top ten of them.
Grotemarkt(Grote Markt)
Grotemarkt is considered the center of the city, where roads from different parts of it flock. In addition, many Dutch claim that this square is the most beautiful square in Europe. At the beginning of the 12th century, when Haarlem was still a village, the count of Holland decided to build a hunting castle here, and to hold jousting tournaments on the square.
Stadhuis(Stadhaus - city government)
Grote Markt 2
Initially, the castle was wooden and was located on the site of Stadhuis. In the 14th century there was a fire and the castle was almost completely burned down. The city administration rebuilt it (already from stone), and since 1370 it has been using it for its own needs. The porch on the left leads to Gravenzaal (Hrafenzal - Count's Hall), in this room Count Floris lived. On the right side of the porch of the extension, which previously housed the small and large courts. Above the windows is a statue of the goddess Justice, adjoining the building on the right is the building former police. To the left of Stadhäus is a former monastery.
You can get to the Count's Hall at the Open Monumentendag (the second weekend of September) or during the Christmas Market (the second Saturday of December).
De Grote Sant Bavokerk(De Hrote Sant Bavo kerk - Great Church of St. Bavo)
Grote Markt 22
The main church of the city is De Grote Sant Bavokerk, which stands out for its size against the general background of the city.
In 1370 the construction of the church was started and only by 1505 the church was built. The inhabitants wanted not only a large church, but also a church tower. To facilitate the construction, the tower was made of wood. One statue survived on the building - the statue of St. Bavo. Either they could not get to it, or the inhabitants were afraid to anger the patron of the city. The statue of Bavo can be seen above the entrance from the Oudegroen markt (Oudehrun markt). In 1738, Christian Müller built a delightful organ here, which was played by ten-year-old Wolfgang Mozart in 1766. The greatest artist of the 17th century, Frans Hals, is buried in the church.
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 17.00
Entrance ticket: adult - 2.50 euros, up to 12 years old - free of charge, from 12 to 16 years old - 1.75 euros.
Vleeshaal(Fleishal - Meat Rows)
Grote Markt 18k
In the 16th century, butchers traded meat and other animal products on the street, but this did not suit them for a long time: because of the flies, the meat quickly deteriorated, cats and dogs tried to steal a tidbit. The Butchers Guild turned to the city authorities with a request to give them a place for building and entrusted the construction to the famous architect Lieven de Kay. In 1602, three burgamirs laid the first stone of the building and exactly one year later the Meat Rows were opened. In those days, such decoration of the building was too bold and did not please the residents. For a long time they called the Meat Row the ugliest building in Haarlem, today the most beautiful.
Frans Hals Museum(Frans Hals Museum - Frans Hals Museum)
Groot Heiligland 62
The Frans Hals Museum is considered one of the best museums Netherlands, which contains the works of the masters of the Golden Age. Frans Hals was born in Antwerp but has lived his entire life in Haarlem. The museum contains works by various artists, in addition, you can see interior items from the 16th - 17th centuries, as well as a doll house that belonged to Sarah Roté and was her outlet. In its creation, expensive materials were used - silver, gold, pearls, porcelain, jacquard fabrics and precious woods.
The museum was opened in 1862 in the building of a former monastery, next to Stadhäus. In 1913, the museum moved to the former Orphanage, where it remains today.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11.00-17.00, Sunday 12.00-17.00.
Entrance ticket: adult - 12.5 euros, under 18 years old - free of charge, from 19 to 24 (inclusive) - 6 euros, group (from 15 people) - 9 euros. Prices are subject to change due to temporary exhibitions.
teylers museum(Taylers Museum - Taylor Museum)
Spaarne 16
The Taylor Museum is not only one of the best in the country, but also the first museum in the Netherlands. Peter Theiler was a successful businessman and banker, and had an expensive hobby - science. He collected archaeological finds, scientific apparatus, paintings and books. In his will, he ordered the construction of a museum on the banks of the Sparne River, where the entire collection would be transferred. In 1784 the museum opened its doors. Today you can see here: stones of the Mesozoic era and minerals, a dinosaur skeleton found in the Meuse River, all kinds of scientific apparatus of the 18th century. There is also a collection of paintings, including works by Rembrandt and Michelangelo.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 17.00, Sunday 12.00 - 17.00
Entrance ticket: adult - 12 euros, from 6 to 17 years old - 2 euros, up to 6 years old - free of charge, group ticket (from 10 people) - 9.50 euros.
Bakkenessergracht(Bakeneserhracht - Bakeneser Canal)
Another attraction of the city is the Bakeneser Canal. It was here that the Dutch built their first houses more than a thousand years ago and laid the foundation for the history of Haarlem. Despite the fact that the canal is located in the very center of the city, today it is quiet and comfortable here, but this was not always the case. In the old days it was very noisy here. Peasants from neighboring villages brought their cattle here for sale. Various workshops and breweries stood along the canal. The canal was a living artery of the city, cargo was transported along it. Wooden cranes stood outside the breweries to help unload the barges.
Molen De Adriaan(Molen De Adrian - Hadrian's windmill)
Papentorenvest 1a
The mill was built in 1779 and got its name from its owner. The mill was located at the city wall next to the river gates to the city. It was used to grind peat, shell, tobacco, and later, to grind grain. On April 20, 1932, the mill burned down completely and was restored in 2002. Now there is a museum that tells about the work of the mills.
The entrance ticket costs 4.5 euros for an adult, children under 4 years old are free, from 4 to 11 - 1 euro.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday from 13.00 to 17.00, Saturday-Sunday 10.30 - 17.00. Tuesday is a day off.
Changes are possible in the work, check the information on the website http://www.molenadriaan.nl/en/guided-tours-prices.
De Waag(De Waah - Weight)
Damstraat 29
The weight room played a very important role in the development of the city and was built in 1597. Large scales were located on the ground floor and all goods first fell into the Vesovaya, where they weighed it and determined the amount of tax to the city treasury. After that, the goods fell on various markets of the city. Today there is a restaurant on the ground floor and an exhibition hall on the second floor (admission is free).
Amsterdamse poort(Amsterdamse Port - Amsterdam Gate)
approximately Spaarnwouderstraat 99
The Amsterdam Gate was built around 1400. The gate was the end of the road from Amsterdam to Haarlem, which is how it got its name. Today, the Amsterdam Gate is the only surviving of the twelve gates of the city. All other gates were dismantled, and there was simply not enough money for the reconstruction of this part of the city. It is also believed that it was at this gate that Kenau Haselaer fought against the Spaniards during the siege of Haarlem.
