Plantage (Amsterdam)

Plantage (Amsterdam)
Neighbourhood of Amsterdam

Location of Plantage in Amsterdam
Country  Netherlands
Province  North Holland
COROP Amsterdam
Borough Centrum

Plantage is a neighbourhood located in the Centrum district of Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is bordered by Entrepotdok to the north, Plantage Muidergracht to the east and south, and Nieuwe Herengracht to the west. In the centre of the neighbourhood lies Artis zoo.

History

The area came within Amsterdam city limits after the completion of the fourth large urban expansion of 1663. Due to an economic crisis caused by the Disaster Year, the city government couldn't find enough buyers for the land. Construction in the area, which was then called Plantagie or Plantaadje, stagnated as a result. Instead, pleasure gardens and orchards were built where Amsterdam's citizens could go and relax in green surroundings.

The initial design for the Fourth Expansion (Vierde Uitleg) by Daniël Stalpaert. Plantage is located on the left.

The plots of land in the neighbourhood were leased by the city for a period of 20 years (with the possibility of a 10-year extension). This was because the city council intended to sell the parcels later on; permanent buildings were therefore not allowed. Temporary buildings, however, were tolerated.

In 1682, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, opened its doors across from Wertheimpark, currently the only public park in the Centrum district of Amsterdam.

The Royal Zoological Society "Natura Artis Magistra" opened Artis Zoo in 1838, making it the oldest zoo in The Netherlands. Of the three main canals of the Canal Belt, Prinsengracht initially extended across Plantage Muidergracht through Plantage towards Entrepotdok. Before it was filled in in 1866, this section of the canal ran through the centre of Artis, dividing it in two. The three ponds within the zoo complex are still reminders of this former part of the canal.

After 1860, the area became more urbanized and as such, Plantage was the only residential area within the Singelgracht canal that had large numbers of 19th century buildings. Today, Plantage still has a much greener and more spacious character compared to other neighbourhoods of the old 17th century city limits within the Singelgracht.

Street names

Artis Zoo entrance on the Plantage Kerklaan

Plantage's main road is called Plantage Middenlaan. Most other street names in the neighbourhood also start with "Plantage":

The street formerly known as Plantage Franselaan is now called Henri Polaklaan, after the Dutch trade unionist and politician.

Theatres

The Hollandsche Schouwburg

In the 19th century, Plantage was an amusement district with entertainment venues and theatres. From 1880 to 1935, on the site of the current Plantage Westermanplantsoen, stood the circular Panoramagebouw (Panorama Building). From 1879, summer theatre Frascati stood at the site of the current Studio Desmet (formerly Rika Hoppertheater and Filmtheater Desmet). Between 1892 and 1911, Wertheimpark was the location of the Parktheater. In the Plancius building (1876) on Plantage Kerklaan, Oefening Baart Kunst practised their performing arts. Artis Schouwburg, later called Hollandsche Schouwburg, famously premiered many plays by Herman Heijermans.

It was this building that, on 18 July 1942, became a deportation centre from which arrested Jews were deported to extermination camps during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. After the war it became a memorial to the Jewish victims. Hollandsche Schouwburg is currently managed by the Jewish Historical Museum.

Listed buildings and architecture

The Hortus Botanicus

Modern developments:

Museums

Gebouw Plancius, which currently houses the Resistance Museum

Until 1910, the Ethnographic Museum was located in the Volharding building on the Artis complex. Until 2010 the building housed an exhibition space of the Zoological Museum Amsterdam at the aquarium building, along with a geological museum until 2011. In 2011 and 2012 the Amsterdam Tattoo Museum was also located in the Plantage area.

Studios

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Plantage (Amsterdam).

Coordinates: 52°21′58″N 4°54′55″E / 52.365983°N 4.915159°E / 52.365983; 4.915159

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