Wandering Haarlem

A former resident of Harlem, New York, explores the original Haarlem. 

Haarlem, the Netherlands, is part of the Amsterdam metropolitan area since its only about 12 mi (19 km) from Amsterdam. Haarlem has been a bedroom city since the 18th century. It’s historic center hasn’t changed much since the 19th century, making it a wonderful place to wander.

train station. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

There are still some old grand train stations around the Netherlands.

train station. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Haarlem’s is a bit extra.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Haarlem doesn’t have as many other canals as cities like Amsterdam and Leiden, but the ones they have are still adorable.

Molen De Adriaan. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Didn’t take me long to find a windmill, the 18th century Molen De Adriaan.

Koepelgevangenis. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Horrible picture but this is an old prison turned into a multi-use building.

Koepelgevangenis. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The interior of the Koepelgevangenis is a bit insane. It’s name means “dome prison” in Dutch. I guess that name fits.

Koepelgevangenis. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The former cells have been turned into offices and such.

Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Amsterdamse Poort, the only original gate left from the city walls.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

A canal/sail boat.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The River Spaarne makes the largest canal through the historic center. It’s hard to tell sometimes whether a canal is just a canal or an actual river.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The building with the statue on top is the Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands. I will be returning later in the day.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

I will never not be obsessed with the houses that look like this.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Yep, still obsessed.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Cute street.

St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

St. Bavo’s Church, the largest church in town.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

That building is amazing.

St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

St. Bavo’s from the front. While I was touring the church, a random rain shower popped up. It went back to being sunny shortly there after.

St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Now for the interior. Typical for a large Dutch church, there are box seating and a pulpit in the center of the seating area.

St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Dutch protestant churches tend to be fairly plain even if they were formerly a Catholic church. The organs are, however, so ridiculous that they look out of place. This one was the largest organ in the world when it was finished in the 18th century. Mozart played it when he was only 10 years old.

St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

A very fancy rood screen.

St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

I have no idea what is going on here.

ledger stone. St. Bavo, Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The floor is also full of ledger stones (gravestones). This one only has a shoe on it for some reason.

Grote Markt. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Back outside to the Grote Markt.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

I ended up in a neighborhood area. It was pretty peaceful.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Very similar to other buildings from the 17th century in Amsterdam.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Adorable.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Business area.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Simple but adorable town homes.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

I love that the trees are still there.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The residents turned their narrow street into a garden.

Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Love these.

Back at the Teylers Museum. It was founded in 1778, and built behind the namesakes house, Pieter Teyler. Today the museum has fossils and scientific equipment in the museum section. The area that was once a house has more art.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

How collectors and early museums displayed their fossil collections.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The next two rooms have scientific collections.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The Oval Room from 1784. This was the original part of museum. There is a mineral collection in the cases in the center. A library was constructed on the second floor.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Art galleries were added in the 19th century.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

Teyler’s house has been incorporated into the museum. Artifacts and art are displayed throughout.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

The house’s front door was the only way to get to the museum until a new entrance was constructed in 1885.

Teylers Museum. Haarlem, the NetherlandsJana Irving

I love this staircase.

Haarlem is much chiller than New York’s version. Even with that, Haarlem has an insane amount of museums to choose from. The city is a great place to wander around as well. All and all, Haarlem is a great place to visit, and a lot cheaper than Amsterdam.

 

Tune in for my next update where I will be exploring Delft, a city known for its tiles!

or

Start at the beginning of this European adventure!

About Wandering Jana

Traveling the world to discover the past.
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