Amsterdam

===Architecture===
[[File:Palacio Real, Ámsterdam, Países Bajos, 2016-05-30, DD 07-09 HDR.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Royal Palace of Amsterdam]], by architects [[Jacob van Campen]] and [[Daniël Stalpaert]] is characteristic of the architecture of the [[Dutch Baroque architecture]].]]
Amsterdam has a rich [[History of architecture|architectural history]]. The oldest building in Amsterdam is the [[Oude Kerk, Amsterdam|Oude Kerk]] (English: Old Church), at the heart of the Wallen, consecrated in 1306.<ref name="Oude Kerk">{{Cite web |title=Oude Kerk official website |url=http://www.oudekerk.nl/ |access-date=10 June 2009}}</ref> The oldest wooden building is ''Het Houten Huys''<ref name="houtenhuys">{{Cite web |title=Houten Huys |url=http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/huizen/beg34.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226022822/http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/huizen/beg34.html |archive-date=26 December 2007 |access-date=19 May 2008 |language=nl}}</ref> at the [[Begijnhof, Amsterdam|Begijnhof]]. It was constructed around 1425 and is one of only two existing wooden buildings. It is also one of the few examples of [[Gothic architecture]] in Amsterdam. The oldest stone building of the Netherlands, The Moriaan is built in [['s-Hertogenbosch]].

In the 16th century, wooden buildings were razed and replaced with brick ones. During this period, many buildings were constructed in the [[architectural style]] of the [[The Renaissance|Renaissance]]. Buildings of this period are very recognisable with their [[Crow-stepped gable|stepped gable]] façades, which is the common Dutch Renaissance style. Amsterdam quickly developed its own [[Renaissance architecture]]. These buildings were built according to the principles of the architect [[Hendrick de Keyser]].<ref name="dekeyser">{{Cite web |title=Amsterdamse renaissance in de stijl van Hendrick de Keyser |url=http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/renaiss3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127014006/http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/renaiss3.html |archive-date=27 November 2007 |access-date=19 May 2008 |language=nl}}</ref> One of the most striking buildings designed by Hendrick de Keyser is the [[Westerkerk]]. In the 17th century [[baroque architecture]] became very popular, as it was elsewhere in Europe. This roughly coincided with Amsterdam's [[Dutch Golden Age|Golden Age]]. The leading architects of this style in Amsterdam were [[Jacob van Campen]], [[Philips Vingboons]] and [[Daniël Stalpaert|Daniel Stalpaert]].<ref name="holclass">{{Cite web |title=Hollands Classicisme |url=http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/holclass.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202200016/http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/holclass.html |archive-date=2 February 2007 |access-date=21 May 2008 |language=nl}}</ref>

[[File:Amsterdam_(NL),_Begijnhof_--_2015_--_7215-8.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Begijnhof, Amsterdam|Begijnhof]] is one of the oldest [[hofje]]s in Amsterdam.]]
[[File:Öffentliche Bibliothek und Konservatorium Amsterdam.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam]] and [[Conservatorium van Amsterdam]], two examples of 21st-century architecture in the centre of the city]]
Philip Vingboons designed splendid merchants' houses throughout the city. A famous building in [[baroque|baroque style]] in Amsterdam is the [[Royal Palace of Amsterdam|Royal Palace]] on [[Dam Square]]. Throughout the 18th century, Amsterdam was heavily influenced by [[Culture of France|French culture]]. This is reflected in the architecture of that period. Around 1815, architects broke with the baroque style and started building in different neo-styles.<ref name="neostijl">{{Cite web |title=Neo-stijlen |url=http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/neostijl.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819204630/http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/neostijl.html |archive-date=19 August 2007 |access-date=19 May 2008 |language=nl}}</ref> Most Gothic style buildings date from that era and are therefore said to be built in a [[Gothic Revival architecture|neo-gothic]] style. At the end of the 19th century, the [[Art Nouveau|Jugendstil]] or [[Art Nouveau]] style became popular and many new buildings were constructed in this architectural style. Since Amsterdam expanded rapidly during this period, new buildings adjacent to the city centre were also built in this style. The houses in the vicinity of the [[Museumplein|Museum Square]] in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid are an example of Jugendstil. The last style that was popular in Amsterdam before the [[Modern history|modern era]] was [[Art Deco]]. Amsterdam had its own version of the style, which was called the [[Amsterdam School|Amsterdamse School]]. Whole districts were built in this style, such as the ''Rivierenbuurt''.<ref name="aschool">{{Cite web |title=Amsterdamse School |url=http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/aschool.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027144316/http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/aschool.html |archive-date=27 October 2007 |access-date=21 May 2008 |language=nl}}</ref> A notable feature of the façades of buildings designed in Amsterdamse School is that they are highly decorated and ornate, with oddly shaped windows and doors.

The old city centre is the focal point of all the architectural styles before the end of the 19th century. Jugendstil and Georgian are mostly found outside the city centre in the neighbourhoods built in the early 20th century, although there are also some striking examples of these styles in the city centre. Most historic buildings in the city centre and nearby are houses, such as the famous merchants' houses lining the canals.