Today Haarlem in the Netherlands is a great tourist center of Northern Europe with wonderful sightseeing, sights of the Middle Ages and New Ages, as well as excellent world-class service.
This city is located in North Holland and is its capital. Amsterdam is only a couple of dozen kilometers away. Harlem was first mentioned in chronicles in the 10th century during the Early Middle Ages. At first it was a small settlement, but in the 13th century Harlem became a full-fledged city with strong fortifications. It became the residence of the Dutch counts.
Harlem’s Top 12 Sights
We offer you a brief description of the sights of Haarlem with photos and recommend a visit to this city, which just reeks of the Middle Ages. So, what to see in Haarlem?
City Hall
This architectural and historical landmark of Haarlem, built in the mid-14th century, is located on the Market Square of the city. Previously it was the seat of the Dutch counts.
In the course of a great fire, the residence and practically all of Haarlem were destroyed, as. were built of wood. And the organization of power itself has been radically revised since then, and the city has become more free.
Railway station
The station was built and inaugurated in the early 20th century during the construction of what is now the Netherlands’ oldest railway line between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. And the very first station of the 30s was in wood.
It is interesting that in those days a track width of almost 2 meters was proposed. After its completion, the railroad in the Netherlands gained enormous popularity, eclipsing even the traditional waterways.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Bavona
It is a Catholic cathedral built in Haarlem in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the Catholic community. The construction was initiated by the local bishop, but due to funding problems it dragged on for decades.
Even at the beginning of construction, the temple was consecrated in honor of the local Saint Bavon, whom the inhabitants of Haarlem consider the patron saint of their city. The design of the temple was originally in the Neo-Gothic style, but it was later changed.
The Church of St. John the Baptist. Bavona
It is the most important historical and cultural monument in Haarlem, which was built in the mid-14th century, soon confiscated as part of the Reformation in favor of the Protestants. Today it is the Protestant Cathedral of Haarlem.
And the first mention of this church dates back to the mid-13th century, but that version of the building was destroyed by fires, and the church actually had to be rebuilt from scratch. The pride of this church is its organ, created at the beginning of the 18th century.
House of the City Guard
It is one of the oldest buildings on Harlem’s property. It is located on the City Market Square and is considered one of the most popular attractions. This house was built in the middle of the 13th century and at one time was the residence of counts.
Then the House of the City Guard housed the City Hall until the Town Hall was built. In the middle of the 17th century it was extensively reconstructed and restored, and the house acquired the appearance it has today.
West Gate
After receiving the status of the city in the mid-13th century around Haarlem were built strong fortress walls with deep ditches and earth ramparts. As the city developed, more and more fortifications were built.
By the 19th century, the fortress walls were no longer vital to the city and were demolished. And the West Gate of Haarlem has been preserved as a monument. They were built in the middle of the 14th century and today are a national monument.
Hadrian’s Mill
This famous mill is a reconstruction made from authentic 18th-century drawings. It was erected at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. The original mill was built in the 18th century, commissioned by local industrialist Adrian de Beuys.
The original burned down in the 1930s of the 20th century, the causes of the fire have never been established. Seventy years later, this hallmark of Harlem has been restored. Today it is a museum where Dutch residents and tourists come to tour.
Taylor Museum
This museum was opened in the 1870s after the death of the famous local industrialist Peter Taylor, who bequeathed a huge collection to his hometown. A new mansion was built next to Taylor’s house to house the exhibits.
Today, Taylor’s famous collection is regularly added to, so additional exhibition halls are needed. Exhibitions, lectures, meetings of representatives of science, religion, art, etc. are constantly held here.
Frans Hals Museum
This municipal museum of Haarlem was opened in the 1960s and was formerly located in the Town Hall. In the 16th century, during the Reformation, paintings by Dutch painters became the property of the municipality, and this was the beginning of the museum.
The point is that in those days many paintings on religious themes were confiscated from Catholic churches and sent to local authorities as confiscated goods. Later, the museum moved to a larger facility, the former almshouse.
Meat Rows
It is a famous covered market standing in the center of Haarlem on Market Square and was built in the early 17th century for the meat trade. It was built in the then fashionable in the Netherlands Northern Renaissance style.
Until the middle of the 19th century it was the only place in Haarlem where the authorities allowed the sale of meat. Later it was the Harlem Archives, then the library. Today, the Meat Market has become a large exhibition complex.
New Church
It is the first Protestant church built in Haarlem in the 17th century after the Reformation on the site of a former Catholic church. At the same time, one of the towers of the temple was preserved and successfully blended into the architecture of the New Church.
At the end of the 17th century, an organ was installed in the New Church, and its facade was decorated with a mechanical clock. Today it is a functioning church with regular religious services. Tourist excursions are also allowed in it.
The Church of St. John the Baptist. St. John’s
In ancient times it was a monastery church and the headquarters of crusading knights were located there. The monastery was erected in the early 16th century. Already at the end of the century, as a result of the Reformation, it became the property of the municipality.
Later the monastery was given to Protestants, it was partially destroyed, only this church remained. In the 1970s, its major restoration was carried out, and the church has become a historical monument.
