This book describes 130 highlights of nineteenth-century architecture in Amsterdam, against the background of the social changes of this century. It deals with origins, architecture, architect, original function, appreciation at the time, the sometimes curious history during their existence, and reuse. The descriptions are accompanied by lots of photographs. They are placed in a walkable order.
The nineteenth century is not known as a heyday of architecture, not in the Netherlands, not in Amsterdam. This era has been called the “century of eclecticism,” and that is not meant positively. But this negative image is beginning to tilt. The nineteenth century was the time of great discoveries. In architecture, craftsmanship, talent, or genius did not suddenly cease, but rather were greatly stimulated. Very many nineteenth-century objects became iconic in the cityscape: train stations, stock exchanges, churches, hospitals, offices, factories, museums, homes, parks. Iconic not only in nineteenth-century neighborhoods, but certainly also in the inner city. Two thirds of the much admired downtown consists of architecture from after 1850. The Neo-Renaissance, mixed with other styles or not, was refreshing and innovative in its time – after two centuries of classicism. Not to mention the art nouveau and rationalism of Berlage.
