Historic City of Haarlem
February 29, 2016
Today we write our first blog of hopefully many. We are standing in front of the railway station of the City of
Haarlem, the sun is shining but it is still rather cold. We hope you will enjoy our first blog!
What can we tell you about Haarlem, it is a medium sized town situated in the northwest of The Netherlands,
the capital of the province of North-Holland. Haarlem has a beautiful historical city center with many
historical building and places, the Spaarne River meanders through the city center. In our blog we will show
you some beautiful scenery and give you some interesting background information. Furthermore, we invite
you to explore Haarlem for yourself!
The Netherlands - Alkmaar
Top 10 sights Haarlem:
Haarlem city walk route information:
Start: railway station Haarlem
Distance: 7.3 km Duration: 2,5 hours Download or print map Haarlem city walk route:
6
1. Railway Station Haarlem
Before exploring Haarlem, we take a better look at the old railway station. The first Dutch train was running
on the railway track between Amsterdam and Haarlem in 1839, the first railway station was opened in 1839.
A renovation took place in 1908, it is the only station in the Netherlands which was built in the Art Nouveau
or Jugendstil style. The station is often used for film shoots and if you look around, you know why and don’t
forget to have a closer look at the beautiful tableaus. Enough about the railway station, we start our walk to
the historical city center.
2. Hofje van Oorschot
We start walking in the direction of the Kruisweg/Kruisstraat, on our right side we see the Hofje van Oorschot,
which was built in 1769 from the legacy of a merchant from Amsterdam Wouter van Oorschot. It was
intended for poor women of 50 years and older who were members of the Reformed church. The bronze
statue of Eve in the garden was designed by Johan Limpers, what you see now is a replica because the
original statue has been stolen in 1987.
3. Grote Markt / St.Bavo
After the Hofje van Oorschot, we walk through the Smedestraat a lovely shopping street at the end of the
street we arrive at the Grote Markt, this is the main square of Haarlem. On this square we find the Town Hall
and the Grote or St. Bavo Kerk (church). The Town Hall is built on the remains of a manor of the counts of
Holland (1370), it was destroyed by a fire in the 14
th
century and then rebuilt. Over the centuries it had been
renovated and expanded several times in the Dutch Renaissance- and Classicistic style. There is a big chance
that you will see a newlywed couple on the stairs of the Town hall.
On the place where a wooden Roman style church was burned down, the Grote or St. Bavo church was
rebuilt in the Gothic style from 1370 until 1520. The church was originally built as a Catholic church and was
devoted to the holy St.Bavo. In 1559 the church became the cathedral of the newly created diocese of
Haarlem. After the Reformation it became a Protestant house of worship and it still is nowadays.
8. De Waag
We pass the church and walk through the Klokhuisplein and Damstraat towards the Spaarne River. At the
corner, we find De Waag (a building where goods were weighed in the past), De Waag was built in 1595 and
remains it purpose until 1915. In 1821 the second floor was used by artists and performers, even Simon and
Garfunkel have played here. The building is used as a pub/café nowadays.
6. De Koepel
We continue our walk through the Oostvest and Papentorenvest, on our way to the Molen (windmill) De
Adriaan, we find on the right side a building called De Koepel, which was a former prison. The Koepel was
built in 1900 and there are two similar prison buildings in the Netherlands, one in Arnhem and one in Breda.
This prison is closed in 2015 and is now in use as a temporary shelter for refugees from Syria.
7. Windmill De Adriaan
At the end of the Papentorenvest we find a traditional windmill in the middle of the town, called De Adriaan.
The windmill was built in 1779 and has had various functions, such as the grinding of shells, oak bark and
corn. In 1932 after many years of not being used and neglect a fire destroyed the original windmill.
Immediately after the fire, the inhabitants want to rebuild the windmill but there weren’t enough resources.
Only after the establishment of a special Foundation, support of the business community of Haarlem and
with subsidy of the EU, it was possible to rebuild the windmill. The windmill was rebuilt in 2001 and is now a
museum, which can be visited to learn more about the technology and the operation of the windmill.
We enjoy the view and walk through the Scheepmakersdijk, across the Catharijnebrug and turn left through
the Koudenhorn and towards the Donkere Spaarne. On our left side we find the Teylers Hofje. The Teylers
Hofje was built in 1787 from the legacy of Pieter Teyer van der Hulst. It was meant for honorable elderly
women, the women who live here nowadays are mostly younger. The facade is built in a neoclassical
style and the entrance is flanked by Doric pillars.
After admiring the Teylers Hofje, we continue our walk along the Spaarne River until a street called Anegang,
we turn right and continue until we find ourselves on the Grote Houtstraat and turn left. The Grote
Houtstraat is shopping street with many of nice shops. When we arrive at a crossing with the Gedempte Oude
Gracht, we turn left.
9. Frans Hals museum
After approx. 200 meter we turn right at the Groot Heiligland, in this street you will find the Frans Hals
museum. The museum is famous for its paintings from the Golden Age and in particular paintings from
Frans Hals, the building itself is also very beautiful, we advise you strongly to take a look insight.
After inhaling so much culture and history, we are in big need of something to drink and eat. At the end
of the Groot Heiligland we turn right until the Grote Houtstraat, where we again turn right, at the
crossroad we choose for the Gierstraat and turn left at the Boterstraat until the Barrevoetstraat where we
turn right, now we find ourselves in the Gedempte Raamgracht, we continue and turn left where we find
a square with restaurants and the Pathe cinema.
10. Jopenkerk
On this square one can find the Jopenkerk, this is a former church in which now a brewery is located
which brews the famous Jopen Beer. We invite you to go inside and take a beer, you deserve it!
We hope that after you have visited the Jopenkerk, you will find your way back to the railway station by
following the Gedempte Oude Gracht, Nassaulaan, Nassaustraat and finally the Kruisweg again.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us!
4. Teylers Museum
As we walk along the Spaarne River, we pass by the Teylers Museum, which was founded in 1778, the
Museum is named after Pieter Telyer van der Hulst, a wealthy cloth-making and silk manufacturer. He had
great interest in the art and science, so after his death he left his collection and a large amount of money to
the Teylers Foundation. The goal of this foundation is promoting the art and science. The museum’s
collection includes of course art but also books, old instruments, coins, medals, fossils and minerals and this
all in its original 18th century building.
After visiting the Museum we across the Spaarne River by taking the Gravestenenbrug and walk through the
Wijdesteeg and Spaarnwouderstraat towards the Amsterdamse Poort.
5. Amsterdamse Poort
The Amsterdamse Poort is an old town gate, which was built around 1400. It is the only still remaining town
gate of that time in Haarlem.
On a sunny day the square is lively and terraces are full but on February 29
th
we only find a market on the square,
so no koffie met appelgebak en slagroom (coffee and apple pie with whipped cream) for us.
1. Railway Station Haarlem
2. Hofje van Oorschot
3. Grote Markt / St. Bavo
4. Teylers Museum
5. Amsterdamse Poort
6. De Koepel
7. Windmill De Adriaan
8. De Waag
9. Frans Hals Museum
10. Jopenkerk
Haarlem- The Netherlands
Hotel tip Haarlem:
We spent one night in the lovely Carlton Square Hotel, this elegant hotel is situated
in the city center at Baan no. 7 Haarlem. The service is excellent and the room was
clean and very nice, free wifi included.
If you are interested in this or another hotel in Haarlem, please check here for the
availability and best offers.
Top 10 sights Haarlem:
Haarlem city walk
route information:
Start: railway station Haarlem
Distance: 7.3 km Duration: 2 hours
Download / print route pdf:
1. Railway Station Haarlem
2. Hofje van Oorschot
3. Grote Markt / St. Bavo
4. Teylers Museum
5. Amsterdamse Poort
6. De Koepel
7. Windmill De Adriaan
8. De Waag
9. Frans Hals Museum
10. Jopenkerk
Historic City of Haarlem
February 29, 2016
Today we write our first blog of hopefully many.
We are standing in front of the railway station of
the City of Haarlem, the sun is shining but it is still
rather cold. We hope you will enjoy our first blog!
What can we tell you about Haarlem, it is a
medium sized town situated in the northwest of
The Netherlands, the capital of the province of
North-Holland. Haarlem has a beautiful historical
city center with many historical building and
places, the Spaarne River meanders through the
city center. In our blog we will show you some
beautiful scenery and give you some interesting
background information. Furthermore, we invite
you to explore Haarlem for yourself!
1. Railway Station Haarlem
Before exploring Haarlem, we take a better look
at the old railway station. The first Dutch train
was running on the railway track between
Amsterdam and Haarlem in 1839, the first
railway station was opened in 1839. A renovation
took place in 1908, it is the only station in the
Netherlands which was built in the Art Nouveau
or Jugendstil style. The station is often used for
film shoots and if you look around, you know
why and don’t forget to have a closer look at the
beautiful tableaus. Enough about the railway
station, we start our walk to the historical city
center.
2. Hofje van Oorschot
We start walking in the direction of the
Kruisweg/Kruisstraat, on our right side we see the
Hofje van Oorschot, which was built in 1769 from
the legacy of a merchant from Amsterdam Wouter
van Oorschot. It was intended for poor women of
50 years and older who were members of the
Reformed church. The bronze statue of Eve in the
garden was designed by Johan Limpers, what you
see now is a replica because the original statue has
been stolen in 1987.
3. Grote Markt / St.Bavo
After the Hofje van Oorschot, we walk through
the Smedestraat a lovely shopping street at the
end of the street we arrive at the Grote Markt,
this is the main square of Haarlem. On this
square we find the Town Hall and the Grote or
St. Bavo Kerk (church). The Town Hall is built on
the remains of a manor of the counts of Holland
(1370), it was destroyed by a fire in the 14
th
century and then rebuilt. Over the centuries it
had been renovated and expanded several
times in the Dutch Renaissance- and Classicistic
style. There is a big chance that you will see a
newlywed couple on the stairs of the Town hall.
On the place where a wooden Roman style
church was burned down, the Grote or St. Bavo
church was rebuilt in the Gothic style from 1370
until 1520. The church was originally built as a
Catholic church and was devoted to the holy
St.Bavo. In 1559 the church became the
cathedral of the newly created diocese of
Haarlem. After the Reformation it became a
Protestant house of worship and it still is
nowadays.
On a sunny day the square is lively and terraces
are full but on February 29
th
we only find a
market on the square, so no koffie met
appelgebak en slagroom (coffee and apple pie
with whipped cream) for us.
8. De Waag
We pass the church and walk through the
Klokhuisplein and Damstraat towards the Spaarne
River. At the corner, we find De Waag (a building
where goods were weighed in the past), De Waag
was built in 1595 and remains it purpose until
1915. In 1821 the second floor was used by artists
and performers, even Simon and Garfunkel have
played here. The building is used as a pub/café
nowadays.
4. Teylers Museum
As we walk along the Spaarne River, we pass by
the Teylers Museum, which was founded in 1778,
the Museum is named after Pieter Telyer van der
Hulst, a wealthy cloth-making and silk
manufacturer. He had great interest in the art
and science, so after his death he left his
collection and a large amount of money to the
Teylers Foundation. The goal of this foundation is
promoting the art and science. The museum’s
collection includes of course art but also books,
old instruments, coins, medals, fossils and
minerals and this all in its original 18th century
building.
After visiting the Museum we across the Spaarne
River by taking the Gravestenenbrug and walk
through the Wijdesteeg and Spaarnwouderstraat
towards the Amsterdamse Poort.
5. Amsterdamse Poort
The Amsterdamse Poort is an old town gate,
which was built around 1400. It is the only still
remaining town gate of that time in Haarlem.
6. De Koepel
We continue our walk through the Oostvest and
Papentorenvest, on our way to the Molen
(windmill) De Adriaan, we find on the right side a
building called De Koepel, which was a former
prison. The Koepel was built in 1900 and there
are two similar prison buildings in the
Netherlands, one in Arnhem and one in Breda.
This prison is closed in 2015 and is now in use as
a temporary shelter for refugees from Syria.
7. Windmill De Adriaan
At the end of the Papentorenvest we find a
traditional windmill in the middle of the town,
called De Adriaan. The windmill was built in 1779
and has had various functions, such as the
grinding of shells, oak bark and corn. In 1932
after many years of not being used and neglect a
fire destroyed the original windmill. Immediately
after the fire, the inhabitants want to rebuild the
windmill but there weren’t enough resources.
Only after the establishment of a special
Foundation, support of the business community
of Haarlem and with subsidy of the EU, it was
possible to rebuild the windmill. The windmill
was rebuilt in 2001 and is now a museum, which
can be visited to learn more about the
technology and the operation of the windmill.
We enjoy the view and walk through the
Scheepmakersdijk, across the Catharijnebrug and
turn left through the Koudenhorn and towards
the Donkere Spaarne. On our left side we find the
Teylers Hofje. The Teylers Hofje was built in
1787 from the legacy of Pieter Teyer van der
Hulst. It was meant for honorable elderly
women, the women who live here nowadays
are mostly younger. The facade is built in a
neoclassical style and the entrance is flanked
by Doric pillars.
After admiring the Teylers Hofje, we continue our
walk along the Spaarne River until a street called
Anegang, we turn right and continue until we find
ourselves on the Grote Houtstraat and turn left.
The Grote Houtstraat is shopping street with many
of nice shops. When we arrive at a crossing with
the Gedempte Oude Gracht, we turn left.
9. Frans Hals museum
After approx. 200 meter we turn right at the
Groot Heiligland, in this street you will find the
Frans Hals museum. The museum is famous for
its paintings from the Golden Age and in
particular paintings from Frans Hals, the building
itself is also very beautiful, we advise you strongly
to take a look insight.
After inhaling so much culture and history, we
are in big need of something to drink and eat.
At the end of the Groot Heiligland we turn right
until the Grote Houtstraat, where we again turn
right, at the crossroad we choose for the
Gierstraat and turn left at the Boterstraat until
the Barrevoetstraat where we turn right, now
we find ourselves in the Gedempte Raamgracht,
we continue and turn left where we find a
square with restaurants and the Pathe cinema.
10. Jopenkerk
On this square one can find the Jopenkerk, this
is a former church in which now a brewery is
located which brews the famous Jopen Beer. We
invite you to go inside and take a beer, you
deserve it!
We hope that after you have visited the
Jopenkerk, you will find your way back to the
railway station by following the Gedempte Oude
Gracht, Nassaulaan, Nassaustraat and finally the
Kruisweg again.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us!
Hotel tip Haarlem:
We spent one night in the
lovely Carlton Square Hotel,
this elegant hotel is situated
in the city center at Baan no.
7 Haarlem. The service is
excellent and the room was
clean and very nice, free wifi
included.
If you are interested in this
or another hotel in Haarlem,
please check here for the
availability and best offers.
Carlton Square Hotel
Copyright 2016 CityWalkSights
