Description of the attraction
Dam Square is the central square of Amsterdam, the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a venue for various official events and celebrations and a popular tourist attraction. Every year on May 4, National Day of Remembrance is celebrated here, celebrations on the occasion of King's Day are also held here, here the townspeople celebrate Christmas.
Dam Square is located in the historic center of Amsterdam. The dimensions of the square are approximately 200 x 100 meters. Its name, like the name of the city, comes from the word "dam". This dam appeared on the Amstel River in 1270 and connected two parts of the city, lying on different banks of the river. Over time, the dam expanded and strengthened and turned into the central square, connecting the two city squares that existed at that time. A fish market appeared where boats moored, and the town hall was located on the other side of the square. Dam was a market square for a long time, and until 1808 the city's Weighing Chamber stood here. For some time there was a stock exchange, later a department store appeared in its place. At the beginning of the 19th century, the last water area was filled up, and the area was surrounded on all sides by land.
Now Dam Square is crossed by several tram lines. The main streets of the Dutch capital depart from it: Damrak, Rokin, Nivendijk, Kalverstraat and Damstraat. On the western side of the square is the royal palace, next to it is the old New Church and Madame Tussaud's wax museum. On the opposite side of the square, in 1956, the National Monument was erected - a white stele erected in memory of the victims of World War II.
