Travel with Blueginger: The City of Haarlem

“Travelling teaches you the lessons not found in books.”

Haarlem

The capital of the province North Holand which is also part of Amsterdam metropolitan area. It situated 20km west of Amsterdam, Haarlem has an estimated population of 161,285. Haarlem lies along Spaarne River, 7km from North Sea. Today, this beautiful historic city center is the home to several famous museums, shops and restaurants. The city has everything.

History of Haarlem

Haarlem has a rich history dating back to pre-medieval times, it was first mentioned in the 10^th century, Middle Ages. It played an important shipping port service for the merchants for north south routes. From the revenue earned from toll fee from these ships, Haarlem became a wealthy city. Gradually Amsterdam took over the shipping port service due to bigger canals necks. And now Haarlem become a hidden gem of Holland, most buildings from older days remains until now. So please continue to read further.

Access to Haarlem

We took a train from Schiphol station to Haarlem station. It was a 20 min ride at the price of Euro13.40 per person for a return trip. Alternatively, Haarlem is easy access from Amsterdam Centraal station, it only needs 15min train ride to get here.

Haarlem Train Station

Haarlem train station was built in 1839, and the station was rebuilt in 1906-1908.

That building has been preserved since. it is the only Dutch station built in Art Nouveau (A type of design from the late 19^th century). Scenes for several movies were filmed at the station like "Ocean Twelve".

It still has many beautiful architectural features including the signs for the three waiting rooms. It’s gorgeous. It also makes the wait very interesting.

Adriaan De Molen

Located on the banks of river Spaarne, Adriaan De Molen is a windmill which is one of national's pride, she was built since 1779 and it has been an exclusive outline of Haarlem for centuries. The original use of the mill was to ground tufa, which is a type of limestone to used for cement and paint. Unfortunately, on a windy day, a fire broke out at the base of the mill and Adriaan De Molen was totally burnt down in 1932. Today a new windmill is built back on its original position in 2002, it is still a fully functional windmill, capable of grinding grains. However, it is not on use every day as it became a tourist sight mostly on weekends and holidays but if there is a miller in present, most likely you will see it in action. There is a small museum inside the windmill and the interior of the mill is welcome to be visited.

What are Windmills used for ?

1) Flour out of grains

2) Draining the lowlands of excess water to reclaim polders

3) Force oil from seeds

4) To saw wood

5) To generate electricity

The Dutch held high regards on their windmills that a special day is dedicated to these well adored windmills. The whole country celebrates "National WIndmill Day" on the 2^nd Saturday of May annually. On this day, all the windmills throughout the country will be decorated with flowers , angels, or national flags and free entry for all visitors.

We were stopped to cross the bridge. - Catharijne Bridge

The new Catharijne bridge was built to better open up the center of Haarlem in terms of traffic and to relieve the very narrow canal near the mill.

several parts of the bridge were modernized or modified. For example, the double closing gates have been replaced by barriers, the lampposts by light poles and the old signal boards by signal lights. In 1933 the bridge was electrified. There is a professional Bridge Keeper on duty to control traffics.

This is the control panel to control the bridge.

The green dome is the house for the Bridge Keeper.

The Bridge is back to human traffic.

Amsterdamse Poort

The Amsterdamse Poort is an old city gate of Haarlem, it is located at the end of the old route from Amsterdam to Haarlem and the only gate left from the original twelve city gates. It was built in 1355 and is the only remaining city gate from the defenses of Haarlem. It is accessible to Amsterdam via road and waterway via this gate. Because of this gate, the distance between both Haarlem and Amsterdam became shorter that we can travel through both places within day. In 1960s, the gate was declared as a national monument.

Den Waag

The weigh house masters needed to able to judge the correct measure of a shiploads of grain that was delivered into Haarlem. Today it is a cozy cafe for everyone.

St Bavo's Church (Grote Kerk)

Heard that a visit to Grote Markt is not complete without visiting St Bavo's Church.

Who would even guess that Haarlem would have a Church of this magnitude!

Built between 1370 and 1529, the church is in UNESCO protected list.

The last restoration of the late Gothic church was in 1980-1985. The exterior medieval design was admired by millions in such a peaceful atmosphere. Well known for the organ with 5068 pipes, was from 17th century and was played by many famous musicians like Mozart, Handel and Mendelssohn.

Vleeshal

Located in Grote market, it was used to be a butcher hall since 1386 until Haarlem was overwhelmed in population as the hall was too small to feed the people here. Now it is use as an exhibition hall. The building is in northern Renaissance style.

His happiest moment

Grand Café Brinkmann

Located at the heart of Grote Markt, the common meeting place for everyone. This cafe cum bar serves European and local food.

We ordered a plate of nachos and 2 drinks to rest our legs after walking all around. The serving was so big that we can barely finish it.

With its strategic location and high flow volume of customers, this place is an ideal place to laze for a couple of hours.

By the way, this cafe in a real old building provides room rental too

Even dogs are also enjoying the laze on a lazy afternoon.

Grote Markt

Most of the buildings were preserved from the older days are mixed into a bustling modern town square.

Like another usual town in The Netherlands, open cafes, festivals, and weekend market filled up this place. The crowds are much lesser, and this place is in a slower pace than in Amsterdam.

Shopping and Strolling in Haarlem

Cobbled streets filled up the whole town!

I once read in an article mentioning that Haarlem has been voted as the Netherland's best shopping destination on several occasion. From chic concept stores to traditional markets or from big brands to international brands, from antique shops to pharmacies, the streets are all waiting to be discovered.

The shopping districts here is made up of 7 streets and it is named as de Gouden Straatjes a.k.a. 7 streets of gold. We probe deeper to 5 out of these 7 streets later as now I like to share more on the main shopping street - Grote Houstraat.

Grote Houstraat

This is Haarlem's main shopping street. It is not within the 7 streets of gold. This area is a collection of fine old building dated from 17^th and 18^th centuries. Beside a shopping street, There is a section of this area housed local citizens, nuns, priests, merchant, retirees from all trade.

The Art of Tea Herbs and Spices

A must visit for tea lovers. This shop is not hard to miss on Grote Houstraat. The aroma of different tea leaves lightens the air of the shop. Not only tea leaves, this shop sells all kind of products related to tea like tumble, tea pots etc. There is even a mini bar selling pastries and cake here too.

The range is so vast that I do not know where to start.

End up, I did not buy anything at all. Thinking back, I am kind of regretted, I should go back to this place on my next visit.

‘de Gouden Straatjes’ (the streets of gold)

Perhaps the best-known streets in Haarlem are the Grote Houtstraat, the Barteljorisstraat and the Zijlstraat. But don’t miss the chance to explore the smaller streets characteristic of this historic city, such as the Schagchelstraat, Kleine Houtstraat, Anegang, Warmoesstraat, Koningstraat and Gierstraat: all of which feature a selection of unique shops and specialist stores.

Gierstraat

Previously known as tram trackways throughout the street. Today, it is a lively street full of retails and monuments.

Something caught my eye here: Drugstore A.J. Van Der Pigge.

This drugstore is the best representative of what Haarlem was in the yesteryears.

Upon stepping into the shop, I was immediately being transported back to centuries ago.

Since 1849, Antonie Johannes Van Der Pigge started his original business here in Giestraat and this drugstore had been weathered through times and until today they are still in their original business helming by the 6^th generation!

Kleine Houstraat

The Kleine Houtstraat with its authentic atmosphere is a beautiful street to stroll along. It is one of the oldest shopping streets of Haarlem and is parallel to the Spaarne (river). A real shopping street with a wide and original offer. Those who love shopping will certainly be happy! Surprising shops and cozy restaurants are both well represented. In 2008 and 2009 this streets was voted best shopping street of Netherlands.

Anegang

Centuries ago this street gave access to a church and a Carmelite monastery (founded by a real Haarlem knight).

Nowadays, latest fashion trendy brands are popping along this street.

Zijlstraat

Round the corner from the Grote Markt, historic building and exclusive shops made up the charming Zijlstraat. Petite shops and mouth watering restaurants add up the colours. This street is also well known for second hand items.