Culture of Amsterdam. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

While speaking about cultural attractions of Amsterdam, it is surely worth noting numerous medieval architectural monuments. Munttoren medieval tower is, definitely, one of the most notable sights of this place. The building of the tower was completed in the end of the 15th century. The tower was reconstructed in the 17th century and so today guests can visit this magnificent architectural monument of the Renaissance. Montelbaanstoren Tower is a no less interesting attraction. This tower was built in the beginning of the 16th century. The tower served as a protective facility during the Middle Ages. Nowadays it is used as the main office of the city’s water management.

Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Historisch Museu) is a noteworthy place among the cultural institutions of the city. The museum is located in an old synagogue. Its opening took place in 1987. Many artifacts have been lost during the war, but even this modern collection of artifacts looks very impressive. Pathé Tuschinski Theatre was opened in 1921. Today this theater is considered one of most striking sights of the city. A unique combination of architectural styles and an unforgettable design of the facade and lobby make all visitors stop in admiration for nearly a century. The full reconstruction of the building was completed in 2002. Nowadays a cinema is opened in it.

Dam Square is the location of the famous historical monument - National Monument (Nationaal Monument). It was opened in 1956 in the memory of victims of World War II. Every year on May 4 a solemn wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the memorial. You will find much pleasure simply in making a usual walk through the city’s streets as you will find many interesting museums and galleries there. Some of the local cultural institutions are truly unusual, for example, Museum of Hashish and Marijuana. This is the only institution of this kind in the world. Museum of Tattoos was opened in 1995. It has also quickly gained popularity among holidaymakers. During the excursion visitors will see numerous interesting decorations and ornaments from ancient times till the present. The museum has an interesting thematic literature. It is visited by more than twenty thousand people each year. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In addition to the aforementioned Museum of Hashish and Marijuana, the city has a Cannabis College (located very close by), where you can look at cannabis and marijuana bushes, as well as learn a lot of new and interesting information about what can be made from the plants. And, of course, Amsterdam cannot be imagined without visiting the popular coffee shop called Dampkring. It is famous for the fact that it was here that some episodes of the film “Ocean’s twelve” were shot. The institution is very much loved by movie fans due to its ambience, and places here are always occupied.

Another unique museum in the city is the Sexmuseum Venustempel. Where else can it be located, if not in a city of tolerance and avant-garde? Among its exhibits, there are erotic retrography, a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe depicting a scene from the extremely popular film “The Seven Year Itch”, as well as wax moving figures. By the way, the famous Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum is also situated in the capital of the Netherlands. Here you can look at the figures of Angela Merkel, Jennifer Lopez, Johnny Depp, Adele, Princess Diana and even characters from the comic book Marvel, among them – Thor and the Iron Man. Another interesting museum is Body Worlds, which will be interesting to visit even with children. Here you can learn a lot of new things about the human anatomy – but it is much more interesting how this information is presented.

However, Amsterdam is not only all about museums dedicated to “the forbidden fruit”. When it comes to architectural aesthetics, the city has beautiful buildings. It would be imprudent not to go see them. Among them, Huis met de Hoofden and Huis met de Kabouters. The houses are remarkable in the beauty of their façade. For Amsterdam they are very unusual, which is why the locals enjoy looking at them. Another institution where you can acquire knowledge is the scientific center Nemo. The museum is unique in that you are allowed to touch the exhibits here, and you can bring all the “inquisitive kids” with you – their questions will be answered here immediately.

The Netherlands is famous for its mills (this is one of the symbols of the country). It is therefore impossible to imagine a traditional tour of the capital of the country of tulips without visiting the amazing mills De Gooyer and De Riekermolen, just as it is impossible to imagine a tour of Amsterdam without visiting the “Eiffel Tower” of the city. Function is served by A’DAM Lookout – a place that you can climb onto to “hang out” for a long time, admiring the panorama of the city – and at that time it “opens its soul”. Also worthy of note is Royal Coster Diamonds. It is considered a historic site, because it was here that the legendary Kohinoor was cut (it is now stored in the Tower as part of the treasures of the Crown of Great Britain).