Jordaan

The Amsterdam Jordaan is located at the western end of the Grachtengordel. The neighborhood is bordered by Lijnbaansgracht, Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht and Passeerdersgracht and was built in the 17th century. When it was built the pattern of the old polder ditches was adopted. The Amsterdam Jordaan was with its small houses traditionally a true working class district.

Rembrandt van Rijn lived in the Amsterdam Jordaan, renting a house on Rozengracht after his bankruptcy in 1655 and continuing to live there until his death in 1669. A memorial plaque on the wall of Rozengracht 184 commemorates this fact.

The Amsterdam Jordaan has often been feted in song by musical talents who were born here, such as Johnny Jordaan, Aunty Leen and Manke Nelis.

Nowadays it is a popular residential neighborhood and the house prices are high, deterring the original residents, who have moved outside the city, from living here. Now the houses are occupied mainly by young couples with two salaries.

There are many things worth seeing: the Wester Tower, the Anne Frank House, the smaller canals with the canal houses and the concealed courtyards from the 17th and 18th centuries. These courtyards represent an early form of care of the elderly and sheltered accommodation at the same time, providing care for needy, old people. The old people lived there free of charge.

There are many small-scale shops offering a range of goods: fashion for every taste, specialized stores and separate shops for food products. A breath of fresh air after the large chain stores.

You will find the following markets in the Amsterdam Jordaan:

Saturday

General market: Fresh produce, clothes, etc /Lindengracht

Farmers’ market: Untreated vegetables, etc / Noordermarkt

Flea market: 2nd-hand articles / Noordermarkt

Bird market: Birds, rodents etc. / Noordermarkt

Monday

Remnant market: Fabrics and clothing / Westerstraat

Flea market: 2nd-hand articles/ Noordermarkt

Daily

Antique market De Looier: Antique and art (covered) / Elandsgracht 109

The Amsterdam Jordaan is a real recreational district. There are lots of cafes, also outdoor, and restaurants. Always every cuisine is represented.

Easy to reach with public transport: Tramlines 13, 14 and 17 and buses 21, 142, 170 and 172 travel through the Amsterdam Jordaan along Rozengracht. Most of the streets are too narrow for public transport and the final meters will often have to be by foot.