Why go
The century gives essential context to neighbourhoods beyond the postcard centre. The Jewish Cultural Quarter, Bijlmermeer, De Pijp and Jordaan each carry parts of a story about occupation, migration, housing and changing urban life. Visit them with this wider history in mind.
The full story
The twentieth century brought some of Amsterdam's sharpest breaks. During the First World War, the neutral Netherlands still faced shortages, and unrest erupted in the city. The Second World War was more devastating. German occupation led to the deportation of more than 100,000 Jews from Amsterdam, almost destroying a community that had long shaped the city's trade, crafts and cultural life. The loss is central to any understanding of places associated with Jewish history, including the streets around Jodenbreestraat and Waterlooplein. After the war, Amsterdam continued to expand and change. Migration from Suriname, Turkey and Morocco altered the city's social fabric, while older working-class districts such as De Pijp and Jordaan became increasingly sought after. The economy shifted away from industry toward services. The 1992 Bijlmermeer air disaster marked another painful moment in Amsterdam Zuidoost. These histories are spread across the city rather than contained in one monument. Pair an old-centre visit with time in Plantage, the eastern districts or Zuidoost to see how different communities and eras shaped Amsterdam.