Point of interest
Jordaan
in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Charming canal-house district of narrow lanes, cafés, boutiques and the Saturday Noordermarkt market.
Where it is
The Jordaan is a central neighbourhood just west of the main canal ring, bounded roughly by the Prinsengracht, Brouwersgracht, Lijnbaansgracht and Leidsegracht.
Address: Centrum, Amsterdam
What it is
Today the Jordaan is a charming residential quarter of narrow lanes, boutiques, cafés and hidden almshouse courtyards (hofjes). Highlights include the Noordermarkt with its markets, small galleries and a relaxed, authentic Amsterdam atmosphere away from the main attractions.
History
The district was laid out during the great city expansion of 1612 as housing for craftspeople, labourers and immigrants such as Flemish Protestants, Huguenots and Sephardic Jews. For a long time it was a densely packed, poor working-class quarter; Rembrandt spent his final years here on the Rozengracht.