Westelijke Eilanden (Amsterdam)

The Westelijke islands (literally, Western Isles ) consist of three islands in the west of Amsterdam city center and had 2851 inhabitants in 2013, you are south of the IJ, west of the Amsterdam Central Station and on the northern side of the Haarlemmerdijk. .

History

The Westelijke islands that lie on Westerdok, includes the islands Bickerseiland, named after the former mayor Johan Bicker, Prinseneiland and real island. The name comes from the former owner Realeneinland Reynier Reaal. The first plans for the construction of the islands date back to 1610.

Between 1614 and 1615, the islands were created with the name Eiland Voor, Middeneiland and aft island. The purpose of the islands was intended primarily for shipyards and farms for the production of tar. 1623 came after a year- long dispute with the City of Amsterdam for the sale of the first pieces of land on the Prinseneiland.

To 1615 Johan Bicker had settled on the Bickerseiland as shipbuilders and 1631 he was the owner of the island. Around 1660, was on the island a wooden church, which Eilandskerk (literally, island church ). It was in 1736 replaced by a stone church. In 1939 it was closed in 1960 and canceled.

Reynier Reaal 1631 was also the owner of real island. Against the interests of the city of Amsterdam he built houses. Later came warehouses ( Pakhuizen ) for wine, tobacco, salt, tar and grain to it. In 1819 were about 940 warehouses in Amsterdam, of which 126 on the Westelijke islands.

After the 18th century, numerous shipyards and companies still have been built for ship accessories. The three islands are since 2011 residential district. The former warehouses have been renovated and divided into apartments.