Haarlem

Haarlem is one of the old most picturesque cities of the Netherlands, in Holland-Septentrional province of . It is a pleasant and sure city, where it makes good things in life. The center, with its old residences and its beautiful monuments, offers the most various distractions on the cultural level. Its particular seal, its quality and its diversity make of Haarlem a Dutch city par excellence.

Administration

Haarlem (150.000 h.) is the chief town of Province of the Holland-Septentrional and area of Zuid- Kennemerland centers it. The commune is managed by the Municipal council (39 members elected by the direct suffrage), the burgomaster (named by the Reine) and six aldermen (chosen by and among the members of the Municipal council). The college of the burgomaster and aldermen ensures the current management of the commune.

Haarlem maintains the bonds of friendship with:

History

Haarlem is equipped with a last rich person and obtained the communal franknesses since seven hundred and fifty years. The breweries, naval construction and textile industry formerly did of Haarlem one of the most prosperous cities of the Netherlands. Some great dates of the history haarlemoise: the role of the count Guillaume Ier of Holland in the conquest of Damiette (Egypt) in 1218, the invention of the Printing works by Laurens Janszoon Coster (+ 1450), the valorous control become proverbial of a woman, Kenau Hasselaar, at the time of the seat by the Spanish (1572); the famous painter Frans Hals (1581-1666) there passed all his career. Many a Flemish was established in Haarlem towards 1700.

Art and culture

Haarlem was always a town of art and culture. The Musée Frans Hals exposes famous works of painters whereas the museum Teyler (sciences), which is the oldest museum of the Netherlands, is devoted to the 18th century. Haarlem is also the town of writers such as Beets (“Obscura Camera”), Bomans and Mulisch (“the Attack”). Still let us quote the Festival of international organ, Noord-Hollands Philarmonisch Orkest and the Chorus of the Cathedral St.Bavo Basilica, the Toneelschuur theater, the Filmhuis cinema, and innumerable galleries and cultural and musical festivals.

Monuments

The historical center of Haarlem, preserved very well, account more than one thousand of protected monuments. The heart of the city is consisted Grote Markt, formerly place of tournament of the counts of Holland, with the town hall dating from the Moyen-âge, Grote Kerk or St.Bavokerk and Vleeshal (market with the meats). Haarlem counts a great number of béguinages, of which oldest to 1395 goes back. More recent monuments as the station (Station) deserve them also a turning.

Center

Haarlem has an animated center, where the most various shops, coffees and restaurants are found. All kinds of events are organized there all the year (Vaardagen, Stripdagen, festivals in Haarlemmerhout wood). Sporting events attract a public many. Thus Haarlem with the reputation to be a true “City of the sport”, where the distractions do not miss.

Spaarne

Haarlem has another nickname, Spaarnestad, of the name of the river which crosses it. In the middle of the city, the Spaarne is bordered of historic buildings which confer a charm particular to this district, and an excursion in boat on Spaarne and the channels makes discover strange aspects of the city. Haarlem is surrounded by water and several marinas in the surroundings accommodate sailing, boards with veil and motor boats.

Flowers

Haarlem is famous for the culture of the flowers. The fields of tulips, true hyacinths and narcisses, in the south of the commune, attract million tourists. Each year in April, the tanks magnificiently decorated with flowered Corso cross this city during two days. Haarlem owes its name of “City of the flowers” with the abundance of flowers brightening everywhere the city the remainder of the year and with its exceptional framework of greenery formed by Haarlemmerhout (municipal wood) and various parks of the 19th century.

Economic activity

The service providers and the educational establishments are numerous in Haarlem. The important sectors are the sector (semi) - public, the graphic Secteur (the largest editor of Netherlands east established in Haarlem, just as Joh. Enschedé & Zn., printers inter alia banknotes) and the Drug company. There is practically no heavy industry. Many Haarlemois work out of the commune.

Environment

Haarlem is with fifteen minutes in the car of the center of Amsterdam and Aéroport Schiphol of Amsterdam, and with a few kilometers only of the sea and beaches (seaside resort of Zandvoort). In the surroundings, great properties, vast parks and beautiful natural areas support the relaxation. The National park of Kennemerduinen and the area of leisures Spaarnwoude are the paradise of the walkers and the cyclistes.
Some Moulin S accessible in 15 minutes to bicycle surrounds the city. Haarlem shelters also the smallest sea of the world, the sea of Haarlem, which is not a fact that one small lake resulting from a polderized arm of the sea.

See too

Birth of Hans Gillisz. Bollongier towards 1600
Bartholomeus van der Helst, painter

External bond

Official site
Site perso town of Haarlem

Nds-nl: Haarlem Simple: Haarlem

Random links: