• Food & Drinks
  • Shopping
  • TO DO
  • Articles
  • About
  • Contact
Mr. Jordaan Says

Articles

From ‘volksbuurt’ to ‘hotspot’: The Jordaan.

As you might know, I was born and raised in the Jordaan area, at the Bloemgracht 102 to be exact. A beautiful canal just off the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk and Anne Frank house. The Jordaan started out as a typical lower class neighborhood. A ‘volksbuurt’ as we Dutchies like to call it. Later it became one of the most romanticized city districts of Amsterdam. In this article I would love to tell you a little bit more about its history. How it became to be this sassy, authentic neighborhood, everyone tends to love with immediately.

 

Rumor has it the origin of the name Jordaan is a derivation of the French word Jardin, meaning garden. And when you think of it, most streets and canals in this neighborhood are indeed named after trees and flowers. Take the lovely Bloemgracht, Leliegracht and Rozengracht for example.

 

The Jordaan district was built in 1612, as part of a big expansion of the city. Its main purpose was to house the working class and emigrants, which is exactly what it did until the 19th century, when impoverishment hit the district. After the second World War things had only gotten worse, which eventually resulted in a big renovation during the seventies.

 

Pictures by Mr. Jordaan.

 

During this period of time the district got discovered by a whole new generation. Mostly artists, students and young entrepreneurs saw its potential and located their businesses here. Meanwhile, most of its former residents moved to other parts of the city. The new residents changed the Jordaan from a low class ‘volksbuurt’ to a sassy, smart village but kept its authentic Amsterdam character.

 

This only grew over the years, where now it is one on the most popular districts in Amsterdam. More and more explorers, travelers and treasure seekers find their way to this beautiful, historic part of Amsterdam. Hiding out in its hidden courtyards, relaxing next to the many canals or wandering around its small alleyways. Are you next?

 

Sincerely,
Mr. J

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment
Previous
Next

About Me

Hi! My name is Mr. Jordaan, it is so nice to meet you. For many, many years now, Amsterdam has been my prior point of interest. I can tell you so much about its hidden treasures, you’ll never hear the end of it. So I decided to start this thing you like to call a blog, and keep you up to date on all my experiences.

Search

Categories

  • Articles
  • Events
  • Food & Drinks
  • Geen categorie
  • Shopping
  • TO DO

GET ALL OF OUR LATEST POSTS

Archives

  • juni 2020
  • mei 2020
  • april 2020
  • maart 2020
  • februari 2020
  • januari 2020
  • december 2019
  • november 2019
  • oktober 2019
  • september 2019
  • augustus 2019
  • juli 2019
  • juni 2019
  • mei 2019
  • april 2019
  • maart 2019
  • februari 2019
  • januari 2019
  • december 2018
  • november 2018
  • oktober 2018
  • september 2018
  • augustus 2018
  • juli 2018
  • juni 2018
  • april 2018
  • maart 2018
  • februari 2018
  • januari 2018
  • december 2017
  • november 2017
  • oktober 2017
  • september 2017
  • augustus 2017
  • juli 2017
  • juni 2017
  • mei 2017

Instagram With Us

Instagram has returned invalid data.

About Us

Hi! My name is Mr. Jordaan, it is so nice to meet you. For many, many years now, Amsterdam has been my prior point of interest. I can tell you so much about its hidden treasures, you’ll never hear the end of it. So I decided to start this thing you like to call a blog, and keep you up to date on all my experiences.

Latest Posts

  • Floating Open Air Cinema – Summer Nights Done Right
  • Weekend Guide – A Sweet (And Almost Official) Start Of Summer
  • Crossing Amsterdam’s City Borders – Dreamy Sceneries (Pt. II)

Copyright 2021 Mr. Jordaan Says