• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

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    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of the Netherlands

Dutch Architecture - New Church in Delft
New Church in Delft

The most impressive and oldest architectural achievement of the Dutch isn't architecture in its most traditional form, but rather is geological architecture. The Dutch have been "re-claiming" land for centuries and much of their country is below sea level, meaning most of their land has been "created" by inventive techniques and constructions. Much of modern day Amsterdam's canal layout was man-made.

In the traditional definition, the oldest recognizable architecture in the Netherlands is from the Romanesque period and there are multiple churches that still stand from this time. The Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht (primarily built in the 1000-1100s) is an excellent example of this style as are a number of churches in the city of Nivelles, most notably the Collegiate Church of Sainte Gertrude (1000s). St. Peters (also known as Pieterskerk; 1039-1048) in Utrecht and numerous churches in the Groningen and Friesland regions are also in this style.

Dutch Architecture - Village
Village

Despite the vast number of examples of Gothic architecture in nearby France and England, the Netherlands didn't erect many buildings in the style, nor are there many buildings in the Renaissance style. The New Church (or Nieuwe Kerk; 1300s) in Delft, the Old Church (or Oude Kerk; 1200-1300s) in Amsterdam, and the Cathedral Church of St. John (or Sint-Janskathedraal; 1200-1300s) in North Brabant are the best examples of the Gothic style in the country, while the Old City Hall (1565) in The Hague is the perhaps the best example of Renaissance architecture in the country.

The Netherlands truly came to power in the 1600 and 1700s and at this time the Baroque style was popular, so much of the country's architecture is in this style, particularly in the city of Amsterdam. Amsterdam's Royal Palace (1648), the Huis ten Bosch (1645) in The Hague, and the Town Hall (1650s) in Maastricht are some of the more impressive buildings from this prosperous time period.

Dutch Architecture - Rietveld Schroderhuis
Rietveld Schroderhuis

The Netherlands', and in particular, Amsterdam's prosperity continued through the 1800s as a number of neo-Gothic churches were built, but the Art Nouveau style of the late 1800s and early 1900s along with other styles in the 1900s proved more popular. The Rietveld Schroder House (1924) in Utrecht is a striking example of modernist architecture and one of the most well-known buildings from the 1900s in the Netherlands.

For a good overview of Dutch architecture, the cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht have the best selection and diversity, however there is something to be sought in Dutch rural architecture as well, which is primarily new construction as many of these more traditional houses, windmills, and other structures are constructed of wood.

This page was last updated: March, 2013