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These former docks, outposts of the Eastern Islands, have been the subject of intense development and renovation in the last decade, in response to the city’s need for new housing. They are now considered trendy places to live, and designer home shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafés are springing up. They are most easily reached by the two bridges from Oostelijke Handelskade.

“The father of gin” – the real thing, in a variety of flavours and bottle types.

When the Jews arrived in Amsterdam in the late 16th century, they moved into a lacklustre area to the east of Oude Zijde, around present-day Waterlooplein. Although several synagogues, diamond factories and street markets have survived, the heart of the Jodenbuurt was decimated by post-war redevelopment and the building of the Metro.

Colourful kites, quirky knick-knacks and kitsch bits for that perfect present to suit all ages.

Liberal Prime Minister Johan Rudolf Thorbecke (1798–1872) was architect of the 1848 Constitution.

Relatively little is known about the life of this sublime Delft artist (1632–75), who inherited his father’s art-dealing business and painted purely for pleasure. He gained some recognition in Holland during his lifetime, but his importance was not established until the late 19th century, and rests on less than 40 known works – mainly domestic interiors with figures – that are extraordinary in their handling of space, light and colour. He was married with 11 children. On his death, his wife was declared bankrupt, and his baker kept two of his paintings against unpaid bills.

Dutch gin is flavoured with juniper and drunk neat – usually downed in a swift gulp from a small glass.Jonge (young)jenever is colourless and sharp.

This remarkable museum represents all aspects of Judaism and the history and culture of the Jews who settled in the Netherlands. On show are some marvellous paintings by Jewish artists, fascinating displays about the diamond industry, and exhibits that bring home the true horror of the Holocaust(see Joods Historisch Museum).

Abel Cahen’s prize-winning design for the Jewish Historical Museum (1987) is a perfect marriage of old and new: the four synagogues that house it, built by Ashkenazi Jews during the 17th and 18th centuries, are linked by glass-covered internal walkways. Highlights of the exhibition, which is concerned with all aspects of Jewish life, are the Holy Ark (1791), focus of the Nieuwe Synagoge, the illuminated Haggadah manuscript (1734), and Elias Bouman’s airy 17th-century Grote Synagoge (see Jewish Sights).

Important playwright and poet (1586–1679) famed for his ornate style. Author ofGijsbrecht van Amstel .