Introduction
Named after the famous Dutch poet Joost van
den Vondel (1587-1679), the Vondel Park attracts 10 million
visitors every year. The most famous park of the Netherlands
is also the largest city park in Amsterdam. Located south of
Leidseplein, this 49-hectare park was designed in the “English
style” by Zocher. Situated in the southern part of Amsterdam,
the Vondel Park obtained the status of a realm monument in 1996.
The historical park is a favourite with locals
and tourists alike. Almost half of Amsterdam hangs out here
on warm, sunny days – enjoying the sun, dog-walking, jogging,
biking, roller-skating, listening to music, people watching,
or just lazing about in the grass. With spacious play areas
for children, cafes, open-air theatres, the ‘Nederlands
Film Museum’ with its amazing terrace, poet Vondel’s
statue, an open air concert venue, the cast iron music dome
and the Groot Melkhuis contribute a lot to Amsterdam’s
reputation as the world’s favourite capital. Throughout
the park are scattered several ponds with swans and ducks, flower
gardens, a display of farm animals for kids and acres and acres
of open ground to play soccer or Frisbee. On warm nights, a
few odd campers might be seen here.
Location
The Vondelpark is situated south of Amsterdam.
It runs parallel to Overtoom off Surinameplein, close to the
Rijksmuseum, Staedelijk Museum and Van Gogh Museum. The Leidseplein
is only five minutes’ walk away
Direction
The Vondelpark, being a popular destination
is pretty easy to access.
Form anywhere in Amsterdam you can get a tram to Vondelpark
and reach pretty comfortably. The following trams go to Vondelpark:
#1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 20.
There are GVB and Connexxion stops on the Amstelveenseweg,
the Amsterdamseweg and Bosrandweg. All of these are very close
to the Vondelpark.
History
The beautiful Vondelpark has a history that
is long as well as interesting. In 1864, a group of prominent
Amsterdammers raised money to buy 8 hectares of land to found
a public park. L.D Zocher, the renowned architect, was commissioned
to design the park as an English landscape. Vistas, ponds and
pathways were used to create a natural effect. In 1865, the
park was opened to public for the first time as a horseback
riding and strolling park. It was then known as Nieuwe Park.
In 1867, when the statue of the beloved Dutch poet Joost van
den Vondel, was established here, it was renamed as Vondelpark.
By 1877, the park had spread to its current space of 49 hectares.
In 1896, a few streams from the Stadholders wharf were made
to run through the park till the Amstelveenseweg. By 1959, a
lot had changed. Management went to the hands of the municipality
who decided to renovate the park in order to attract more number
of visitors. The well-known architect E. Moss was designated
for the task. He stressed on simplicity, preservation of greenery
and functionality in use and management. In the 1980’s
the Open Air Theatre was built. In 1996, the Vondelpark received
the status of a protected realm monument. .
Characteristics
Named after a famous Dutch poet, Joost van
den Vondel, the Vondelpark is known as the ‘green lung’
of Amsterdam. It contains 49 hectares (120 acres) of ponds,
gardens, lakes, playgrounds, cafés and a bandstand. Within
its 49 hectares (490,000 sq. m), fit in 16 acres of grassy plots,
0.2 acres of steed bushes, 8 acres of water bodies, 10 acres
of playgrounds and 11 acres of a planted woodland. There is
an exclusive rose-garden, which draws a huge crowd of visitors
every year. The park is 2 km long (from the Amstelveenseweg
till the Stadholders wharf) and about 300 metres wide. There
is an asphalt path (from Amstelveenseweg till the Koninginneweg,
along the water playground) that is also 2 km long. Different
parts of the Vondelpark have different faces. The area surrounding
the film museum is small-scale, intimate and romantic whereas
the part near the Amstelveenseweg is more large scale and rural.
In the natural environment comprising woods, grassy plains,
water bodies and marshy lands survive a host of animals ranging
from rabbits, squirrels, frogs, woodpeckers and birds of prey.
Attractions
The lush greenery of the Vondelpark in the
midst of busy Amsterdam is in itself an attraction. There are
a number of regular features in addition to some specialized
ones. During summertime a host of events take place to make
the place even more attractive.
There are regular free concerts performed
at the Open Air Theatre.
Theatrical performances happen five days a
week at the Open Air Theatre near the entrance at Eeghenstraat.
The performances are free of cost. On Wednesday afternoons between
May and September, free children’s shows are staged here.
The impressive white palace-like Nederland
Filmmuseum is an attraction not only for adults but for children
as well. Housing memorabilia and a priceless archive of films,
the filmmuseum offers special screenings for children on Wednesday
and Sunday afternoons.
Sometimes you can spot palm readers, African
drummers, classical quartets and jazz singers performing for
you free of cost.
Vondelpark is an ideal place to take your
kids. There are six play areas and one large playground near
Groot Melkhuis. There are lots of activity and entertainment
options for children available here. The Pancake joint is hugely
popular.
The Vondelpark Summer festival features free
theatre, concerts, dance, cabaret and other entertaining performances
suitable for all ages.
The musical performances are of different
kinds keeping in mind varying choices and preferences. Bandstand
classical concerts are held on Thursdays. Theatre or dance performances
are hosted on Fridays. Saturdays feature lively events and workshops,
followed by plays or music, with more live music on Sundays.
Activities
The popularity of the Vondelpark has been
augmented by its wide expanse that allows countless activities.
The extensive network of footpaths, cycle paths and horseback-riding
tracks are a blessing to visitors. There are six routes for
walkers, each marked by signs to help walkers keep track of
the route. Route descriptions are available at the visitor’s
centre.
The 13.5 km cycle route is marked at places by signs depicting
a bicycle. Bicycles can be hired at the main entrance on the
Van Nijenrodeweg.
The huge ground is ideally suited for camping but campfires
are not allowed.
Portable football goalposts are set up in summer on some of
the playing fields, which are often used for sunbathing as well
as other sports.
Every year the park authorities organize a half-marathon that
starts from the stand near the Bosbaan. The route is marked
at places by signs depicting a jogger.
There is a training circuit around the Heuvel with various
pieces of equipment, much to the delight of all fitness freaks.
The Vondelpark is the answer to every rower’s sincerest
prayers. The vast water bodies and streams allow ample rowing
facilities. Canoes and pedal boats can be hired at the Grote
Vijver. Coloured poles mark out the canoe route in the watercourses.
In the part of the park south of the A9 amateur fishing is
also allowed in summer. To fish here visitors need a permit
from the Amsterdam Angling Association (AHV).
Near the new Kalfjeslaan there is a hockey ground. International
hockey competitions are held every year in the Wagner stadium.
There are cricket pitches near the Kalfjeslaan where enthusiasts
can play cricket matches.
If you are a tennis lover you will find enough partners to
compete with at the wonderful tennis courts.
In harsh winters, the Amstelveense Poel and the Bosbaan provide
good skating opportunities.
There are two swimming pools for young children. These can
be found near the large playing field (Speelweide) and near
the entrance on the Van Nijenrodeweg. There are toys at both
pools.
For older children there is an exciting underground Diorama
in the visitors’ centre near the Meerzicht pancake house.
The Geitenboerderij (goat farm) is extremely popular with
children of all ages who are allowed to feed the goats.
Near the goat farm is the wild-animal pasture with herds of
bison and Mouflon sheep.
The delightful islands in the Grote Vijver are open to children
in summers. They are allowed to explore this wonderful playground
in the woods with footbridges and a little ferry.
The ultimate activity here is of course to lie down on the
grassy plain and people watch for hours on end.
Food
The Vondelpark is perfect for a daylong picnic. Most visitors
bring their own food, however, if you feel like enjoying a Dutch
spread you are welcome to the immensely popular Boerderij Meerzicht
(pancake house). The other option is to visit De menagerie,
which is quite a decent place to have your meals at. The cosy
Round Blue Teahouse (established in 1936) serves coffee with
wonderful cake.
Places to Stay
The area surrounding the Vondelpark is very popular with tourists.
As a result there are a number of hotels in this region catering
to the needs of all sorts of guests.
Useful Information
 Opening
hours: Daily, dawn to dusk.
Admission:
Free
Close to the
main entrance by the Bosbaan is the visitors’ centre.
Here there are various exhibitions as well as information about
the Vodelpark. The visitors’ centre is open daily (except
for Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 12.00 to 17.00. Entrance
is free of charge.
Supervision
and accident reports: Amsterdamse Bos forestry, tel.020-5456140
For Exhibition
details, contact: Visitors' centre, tel.020-5456100.
The entrance
for the open-air theatre is on Van Eegenstraat, off Van Baerlestraat.
Handy Tip
Take plenty of water with you, as the walks can be long with
very few places to buy food and drink from.
|
