The Oude Zijde (Old Side) of Amsterdam is one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam there is. Originally it started in the north western corner of the city and expanded towards the eastern quarter with the huge influx of Jews from Portugal.
The Oude Zijde occupied just a small amount of what is now modern day Amsterdam, it’s bounderies were a small strip of the eastern side of the river Amstel and ran between the Damrak and Oudezijds Voorburgwal. At the centre and heart of the Oude Zijde is the Oude Kerk, the Oude Kerk was built and still stands today as the oldest church in Amsterdam.
When the 1400’s came, the Oude Zijde was set to expand, pushing its bounderies further to the east. The expansion of the area didn’t slow down until the 17th century. The expansion of the Oude Zijde area was helped by the massive influx of Jews settling from Portugal.
The importance of the Oude Zijde back in it’s heyday is greatly under appreciated. As the Oude Zijde was an important commercial area of Amsterdam, enabling ships to sail down the Gelderskade towards Nieuwemarkt for their goods to be weighed at the Waag before being sold, was important to the commercial sector and the expansion that Amsterdam underwent.
Modern Day Oude Zijde :
Now adays the Oude Zijde is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many making their way into the red light district area near to the Oude Kerk.
There’s many things to be seen here form the popular and often daunting experience of the Red Light District, to the quieter sights such as the Waag which stands by the Nieuwemarkt and is the last remaining gatehouse from medieval times.
If museums are what your looking for, then you’ll find the Hash Marijuana Museum on Oudezijds Achterburgwal heading into the red light area, the Joods Historisch Museum can be found towards the Waterlooplein as can the Museum Het Rembrandthuis.
When it comes to eating in the Oude Zijde, you can find many small cafes,restaurants and even fast takeaway food to tickle your tastebuds. Depending on what your looking for in the taste department, you shouldn’t need to look very far.
Museums and sights to be seen in the Oude Zijde :
Hash Marijuana Hemp Museum – Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148
Joods Historisch Museum – Jonas Daniel Meijerplein 2-4
Museum het Rembrandthuis – Jodenbreestraat 4
Mozes en Aaronkerk – Waterlooplein 205
Portugees-Israelitische Synagoge – Mr Visserplein 3
Oude Kerk -Oudekerksplein 23
Zuiderkerk -Zuiderkerkhof 72
Agnietenkapel – Oudezijds Voorburgwal 231
Oostindisch Huis – Oude Hoogstraat 24
Oudemanhuispoort – In Between Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Kloveniersburgwal
Pintohuis – Sint Antoniesbreestraat 69
Montelbaanstoren – Oude Waal/Oude Schans 2
Scheepvaarthuis -Prins Hendrikkade 108
Schreierstoren – Prins Hendrikkade 94-95
Trippenhuis – Kloveniersburgwal 29
Waag – Nieuwmarkt 4
Stadhuis-Muziektheater – Waterlooplein 22
Restaurants and places to eat in Oude Zijde:
Lunch Room Day & Night – Oudekerksplein 52
“Morita-ya” Japans Eethuisje – Zeedijk 18
Swartbos – Zeedijk 23
Maleis Restaurant Wau – Zeedijk 35
Restaurant De portugees – Zeedijk 39
Hofje Van Wijs – Zeedijk 43
Leeger / N – Sint Antoniesbreestraat 66D
Petite Patisserie Sol – Sint Antoniesbreestraat 25c
Bagels & Beans – Waterlooplein 2
Gary’s Muffins – Jodenbreestraat 15
Snackbar Jan Oostrum – Nieuwe Hoogstraat 30 HS
Restaurant Cafe in De Waag – De Waag – Nieuwmarkt 4
