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Historical Haarlem: Private Tour with Local Guide

1 Review | Haarlem, Netherlands

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1 hour 40 minutes (Approx.)

Hotel pickup offered

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Overview

Explore the history of Haarlem with a private tour through this old town.

Haarlem is one of the pearls of the Dutch Golden Age, home to many of its great treasures and talents. The historical city center of Haarlem boasts a treasure trove of exceptional monuments. The present-day Haarlem is situated on an ancient sand ridge, formed 56 centuries ago. Many centuries later, the settlement of Haarloheim emerged at a strategic location along the Spaarne River. Since then, Haarlem has evolved into the beautiful city we know today.

After this tour, you will know more about Haarlem than the average local!

What's Included

Local private guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

You can be picked up from your hotel, if you stay in the city center. Otherwise, the guide will pick you up in front of Haarlem train station.

Meeting point

Stationsplein Haarlem Station, Stationsplein 9b, 2011 LR Haarlem, Netherlands

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The guide will pick you up in front of the most beautiful train station in The Netherlands. From here, the tour will start. If you wish to be picked up from your hotel (if it is in the city centre), let us know!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start Times

What To Expect

Haarlem

We start in front of the most beautiful train station of The Netherlands. The railways made a significant contribution to the revival of Haarlem after 1850, as improved infrastructure allowed small businesses to grow into important industrial complexes. Examples include the Figee machine factory, Droste chocolate factory, Conrad shipyard (all located on the Spaarne), and the Beijnes railway carriage factory at Stationsplein.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grote Markt

Of course we will walk over the Grote Markt. The Grote Markt has traditionally been the heart of Haarlem. Before the Middle Ages, when the square was not yet paved, it was called 't Sant. Justice was administered on 't Sand at that time. However, the gallows were located on the outskirts of the city to deter people. Tournaments were held on the square, as well as markets. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the square was even larger than it is now because there was no building on the south side (right). The appearance and character of this place were and are largely determined by the historical buildings surrounding it.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The St. Bavo Church in Haarlem

On the Grote Markt, we find the Grote Kerk. Here once stood a smaller church that was damaged during a city fire. Subsequently, the Grote or St. Bavo was built here. The floor plan is based on the cruciform shape. Construction began in 1390 with the choir built around the old Romanesque church, followed by the transept. The nave followed from the mid-15th century. The tower is an oak construction covered with lead and was added to the church in 1520. In 1559, St. Bavo was elevated to a cathedral. On May 19, 1578, the 'Haarlemse noon' took place, a delayed iconoclastic event. During a Catholic sacrament procession in the St. Bavo Church, Geuzen soldiers stormed the church. The soldiers killed the priest and destroyed everything. Afterward, the church came into the possession of the Reformed Community. In the church, in addition to the world-famous Müller organ, there are the graves of painters Frans Hals, Pieter Saendam, linen merchant Pieter Teyler van der Hulst, and many others.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Botermarkt

We cannot skip the Botermarkt. In 2012, during the installation of underground waste containers on the Botermarkt, skeletons from the Middle Ages were discovered. These were found on an old cemetery belonging to the medieval St. Gangolf's Chapel. The excavation of these skeletons has provided more insight into the men, women, and children who lived in Haarlem around 1450. The combination of forensic science, archaeology, anatomy, and sculptural art can give a lifelike face to an excavated individual. For the reconstruction, a skeleton with a skull was selected from a 35-year-old man with a remarkable face. Since his name was unknown, the name Cornelis was chosen. Cornelis was a common name in Haarlem in the 15th and 16th centuries.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Jopen

Another church! For centuries, Haarlem was one of the largest beer brewing cities in the Netherlands. Beer brewing dates back to the medieval period in Haarlem, with many breweries located along the Spaarne River and Bakenessergracht. The proximity to water was convenient for both beer production and the transportation of beer barrels. The beer barrels, with a capacity of 112 liters, were called 'Jopen.'

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Frans Hals Museum

We pass by the beautiful Frans Hals Museum. Frans Hals was born in Antwerp in 1582 or 1583, the son of a linen merchant. Like many South Netherlanders at that time, the family moved to Haarlem around 1586. Frans Hals was a pupil of Carel van Mander until 1603 and became a member of the Saint Luke's Guild. In 1616, he painted his first civic guard pieces. In 1639, he created his last civic guard pieces, considered the pinnacle of Hals' oeuvre due to the great variety of facial expressions, shining uniforms, and nuanced colors.In the 18th century, he fell out of favor but was rediscovered by the Impressionists in the 19th century, who appreciated his so-called rough style. His style was characterized by independent, sweeping, and loose brushwork, as well as intimate and enigmatic drama. He had the ability to capture subtle human emotions.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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