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Haarlem
The oldest mentioning of Haarlem dates from the 10th century. The city's population grew from 18,000 in 1573 to around 40,000 in 1622. Haarlem's linen became world famous and the city flourished, just like the rest of the country: the Golden Age had started.
Beer brewing was a very important industry in Haarlem. The majority of the beer it produced was consumed in Noord-Holland. In 1620 the city numbered in the vicinity of 100 breweries.
In the 1630s, Haarlem was (and still is) a major trading center for tulips, and it was the epicenter during tulip mania, when outrageous prices were paid for tulip bulbs. From the time that the Leiden-Haarlem canal Leidsevaart opened in 1656, it became popular to ride from Rotterdam to Amsterdam by passenger boat rather than coach. The towpath led these passengers through the bulb fields south of Haarlem.
The city is famous for its many hofjes: almshouses built around courtyards. These were mainly privately funded houses for elderly single women. Nowadays there are 19 hofjes in Haarlem; many open to the public on weekdays. Many hofjes are still owned by the original foundations, and are still mainly used for single (elderly) women.
The Grote Markt (central market square), with -among others- the City Hall, the Vleeshal, the Hoofdwacht and the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk; The Teylersmuseum (the oldest museum of the Netherlands); Frans Hals Museum; Windmill De Adriaan; The Amsterdamse Poort city gate and the art nouveau railway station of Haarlem. |
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