The Plantage is home to one of the city’s most visited attractions, Artis Zoo. It maybe one of the oldest zoos in Europe however its animal enclosures are state of the art creating as comfortable a captive living environment for the animals as possible. You will find all your favourite animals here including giraffes, tigers and lots of monkeys. Perhaps most enchanting is the butterfly house where hundreds of pretty butterflies flutter around you. They will happily eat fruit from your hand if you are still enough.
The early 1900s saw the neighbourhood develop as a popular entertainment district with a plethora of theatres, dance halls and music venues springing up. Everything changed however on the 10th May 1940 when the Nazis invaded Holland and the city of Amsterdam entered its darkest historic period in modern times. The Nazis chose the Hollandse Schouwburg, a pretty theatre in the heart of the Plantage, as the assembly point for approximately 80,000 Jewish people before deporting them to the concentration camps of Poland. The theatre today functions as a memorial chapel and war monument in remembrance of the Jewish victims of the Nazi terror listing the 6,700 family names of the 104,000 Jews from the Netherlands who were murdered in the war. You will also find a second poignant memorial to those who perished at Auschwitz in the beautiful Wertheim Park which lies a short walk away. A visit to both of these locations comes highly recommended since they provide a real insight into the recent history of this extraordinary city.
The incredible Portuguese Synagogue and the neighbouring Jewish Historical Museum on the edge of the Plantage are fascinating to explore. Hop across the road to sample the unusual wares on sale at the city’s most popular flea market, the Waterlooplein. This is a great place for photo opportunities and to pick up unique souvenirs. Be sure to check out the nearby excellent Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Gardens) where you can walk amongst the giant cacti and experience rainforest-like temperatures in the huge green houses. If you look carefully you can spot cannabis growing wild in the ornamental gardens outside. After all this culture and history you will no doubt be feeling thirsty so head to the famous De Gooyer, an organic brewery housed under a beautiful old windmill in the Plantage. Once you are suitably rehydrated head towards Central Station to explore the National Maritime Museum and the fabulously interactive NEMO Science Museum.
