Vondelpark

New York has Central Park, London has Hyde Park and Amsterdam has the Vondelpark. The Vondelpark is the most famous park in The Netherlands and is certainly one of the most beautiful green spots of the city.

The Vondelpark welcomes 10 million visitors each year. It’s very popular by the residents of Amsterdam and it’s just as popular among tourists; this ensures a very diverse mix of visitors.

In 1864 a group of prominent Amsterdammers formed a committee to found a public park. They raised money to buy 8 hectares of land and had it designed like an English landscape with vistas, ponds and pathways. In the beginning the park was named Nieuwe Park (New Park). But in 1867 a statue of Joost van den Vondel was placed in the park, which caused the public soon to name it the Vondelpark. It did not take a long time before the name of the park was officially changed into the Vondelpark. Joost van den Vondel was a poet and playwright and can be considered as “the Dutch Shakespeare”.

In the first few years the park was used for horseback riding and strolling. Soon the committee raised money to enlarge the park and by 1877 it reached its current space of 45 hectares. After the enlargement of the park it quickly became a popular place where the people of Amsterdam were able to escape the busy city life in an oasis of green. In 1953 the committee donated the Vondelpark to the city of Amsterdam because they were not able anymore for the maintenance of the park.

The popularity of the Vondelpark reached its peak in the 1970’s. In those days the Vondelpark was one of the most important hangout places for hippies in The Netherlands, and probably even in Europe. It became famous worldwide as an open air dormitory for those seeking an alternative way of life. The Vondelpark was also one of the first places where there was an open tolerance towards cannabis. Since 1996 the Vondelpark is a national monument.

These days the park is now a mecca for joggers, skaters, families, footfall players and especially a mecca for all people who just want to chill out a bit. In the summer months June - August there are free shows (music, dance, theatre etc.) on almost a daily basis at the open air theatre in the center of the park.

How to get there:
The Vondelpark is located in the south-center of Amsterdam, just a 1-2 minute walk from the Leidseplein and in walking distance from the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. When you’re at the Leidseplein walk towards the traffic lights next to the castle-like hotel, go there left and after 100 meter you will find the entrance of the park at your right.

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