The Vondelpark is the most famous park in Amsterdam. It was designed and built in 1864 by landscape architect Jan David Zocher. The park first opened to the public in 1865.
The Vondelpark is designed in the English Landscape Style. Lawns alternate with ponds and a beautiful rose garden. There are 120 different types of trees in the park, which provide shelter for both humans and animals. The park has been a national monument since 1996.
The Vondelpark is a green oasis in the middle of a busy city. It is therefore extensively used by the residents and visitors of Amsterdam. It is a beautiful place to take a walk or run and you can enjoy a picnic or spend an afternoon reading a book under a tree. Do you prefer to sit on a terrace? That is also possible, for example at the Vondelpark pavilion. This Italian Renaissance-style building was designed and built between 1874 and 1881 by architect W. Hamer.
The Vondelpark is home to several works of art, including a work of art by Pablo Picasso and a bronze statue by Joost van den Vondel, the 17th-century Dutch poet after whom the park is named.
At the edge of the park is the Vondelkerk. This church from 1880 was designed by Pierre Cuypers, the architect who also designed the Central Station and the Rijksmuseum. The church served as a church until 1977. Today it houses small businesses and is used as an event location. The church is free to visit every first Wednesday and every third Sunday of the month.
The Hollandsche Manege, with its entrance on Vondelstraat, is the oldest riding school in the Netherlands. It was designed in 1882 by A.L. van Gendt and is inspired by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The Hollandsche Manege is still in use as a riding school, but it is also a living horse museum. In the museum you will discover the history of riding stables and horsemanship. Every first and third Sunday of the month there is a demonstration of the Vondel Carrousel.
Do you want to discover this green oasis in the city yourself? Then book a local private guide from Aroundfriends.