Special Sub-Topic: My Amsterdam Neighbourhood Click Here To Play: My Amsterdam Neighbourhood

The main street in my neighbourhood is called Utrechtsestraat. Formerly it was the road that went from Amsterdam to the city of Utrecht. What squares are at the start and at the end of the Utrechtsestraat?

Rembrandtplein and Frederiksplein. Rembrandtplein is famous for its many cafés and bars, Frederiksplein for its park, in the midst of which the intensely ugly building of the Dutch Central Bank arises.

How many canals does the Utrechtsestraat cross?

three. They are: Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht.

Which river runs parallel to the Utrechtsestraat?

Amstel. The Amstel runs about 200 meters east from the Utrechtsestraat.

In the 17th century the Amstelveld Square was meant to be the location for the main protestant church. This church was never built.

t. This church was never built because the city didn't furnish money. Instead the meant to be temporary wooden church still stands in a corner of the Amstelveld.

On which day is the weekly flower market of the Amstelveld?

Monday. This flower market, much less of a tourist attraction than the famous one along the Singel Canal, is on Monday.

On the Amstelveld is a statue of Kokadorus. What was his profession?

A famous street artist. Kokadorus (1867-1934), nicknamed "the Merchant of North Venice", sold market objects and combined his trade with political statements and jokes.

Which canal runs parallel to the Utrechtsestraat, about 200 meters west of it?

Reguliersgracht. The Reguliersgracht is famous for the fact that it is the only place in the world where from a certain standpoint one can see seven bridges in a row.

What building was situated on the Frederiksplein from 1865 until 1929?

Paleis voor Volksvlijt (Palace of Peoples' Industry). The palace was modelled after the Crystal Palace in London.

Why did the building mentioned in question 8 disappear in 1929?

It was burnt down. The burning down of the Palace was considered to be a national disaster.

What is the name of the "independent catholic" church on the Prinsengracht near the Amstelveld?

De Duif. De Duif (The Pigeon) is famous for the fact that it sometimes offers refuge to hunger strikers. The preachers consider themselves independent from the Pope and his bishops.