Leidseplein

The Leidseplein ( German: " Leiden Square ") is a square in the city center of Amsterdam. In addition to the Rembrandtplein he is one of the most famous entertainment places in Amsterdam.

Location

The site is located on the southern extension of the Leidsestraat and extends to the Canal Belt. On the south side it is completed by the Leidsepoort. After West leads the Marnixstraat, to the east the Weteringschans. Branches off from the Leidseplein streets are the Lijnbaansgracht to the west, the Korte Leidsedwaarsstraat west and east and the Small - Gartmanplantsoen to the east, north, respectively Marnixstraat or the Weteringschans. From Leideseplein there are approximately 800 meters to the famous Flower Market ( Flower Market ).

History

The Leidsepoort, created in 1664, was one of eight input ports ( " Toegangspoort " ) to Amsterdam. It was canceled in 1862. The Leidseplein is named after the Leidsepoort. Here began earlier a way to Leiden. On 3 June 1875, the first horse-drawn train departed from Leidseplein to the eastern plantation district. Drove on 14 August 1900 by the Leidseplein Haarlemmerplein first time an electric tram.

In 1955 was opened a nightclub as a meeting point for homosexuals with the name De Schakel on Leidseplein by COC Nederland. This was in the 1950s, unique in Europe.

Early 1960s was called a youth subculture that came from the middle class and the working population, Nozems. Nozem was the abbreviation for Nederlands- Onderdaan - Zonder - Agree - Moraal ( German: "Dutch subject without any morals "). This resulted in a further group of young people who Pleiners whose meeting place was the Leidseplein. They were against materialist affluent society and sat down against the " older generation " from. The population was outraged when the police announced to the media that the youngest of the Pleiners, the Leidsepleinjeugd ( " Leidsepleinjugend " ) called, a large number had committed shoplifting.

Today, the Leidseplein is a popular entertainment district with international restaurants, bars and cafes in the Netherlands and also with tourists. Here are the Theater De Balie, Theater Bellevue and the pop, rock and jazz concert building Melkweg, Paradiso and the Stadsschouwburg. The 1771 built entirely of wood Stadsschouwburg was devastated by a great fire in 1870 and 1892 constructed from stone. It is available as Rijksmonument historical monument since 1982.

The Leidseplein is one of busy place with several tram lines, taxis, buses, bicycle and car traffic. In the near future the taxi stand and the tram stops that are close to Leidseplein, be laid, as well as an underground shelter for 2700 bikes are built to make the space more clearly and to relieve the traffic. South of the square is the 1917, designed by the Dutch architect Piet Kramer Leidsebrug ( " Leidsebrücke " ) that leads to the Vondelpark among others. Here, the green area is Leidsebosje with two plane trees, which have a circumference of about 6.5 meters and are among the largest trees in Amsterdam. Opposite is the Holland Casino. Once a year, for IDFA documentary takes place around the Leidseplein. Nearby lies the tobacco pipe museum Pipe Museum Amsterdam at Prinsengracht 488