citylikeyou — Amstel River — Amsterdam by Misha de Ridder

Amsterdam / River

The Amstel river is the main river of Amsterdam. Around 1200 they build a dam in the river and that was the birth of Amsterdam (or Amstelredamme as it was called back then). This dam is now situated under the Dam square, the central square of the city. If you bike from the old city center to the south along the banks of the Amstel, as I do every day on my way to my studio, the city opens up and gives way to a lot of space. If you follow the river it will take you out of town more quickly then you’d expect since it is surrounded by a green corridor that get’s larger and greener as you exit the city. In less then half an hour bike trip from the old city you can find yourself in juicy green pastures between grazing cows and sheep. Only the airplanes heading in and out of Schiphol Airport will remind you that the city is near.

Address
Amstel River, Amstel river, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Photographer Visual Artist

Current city: Amsterdam

mishaderidder.com

Misha de Ridder (1971, Alkmaar, The Netherlands) lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. To search, to disclose and to write with light is what Misha de Ridder does in his landscape photos and videos. He does not seek the comfort zone of the beautiful and picturesque, but of the sublime. De Ridder exhibited at Juliètte Jongma Gallery, Layr Wuestenhagen Contemporary, PhotoEspaña, the Triennial of Photography Hamburg, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, FOAM and The Museum of the City of New York. Photobooks by Misha de Ridder are Sightseeing (2000, De Balie), Wilderness (2003, Artimo), Dune (2011, Lay Flat), Abendsonne (2011, Schaden.com), Falaise (2016, Roma Publications).

More Places in Amsterdam 100

Amsterdam / Shop

Candles, incense and fragrance oil to lighten up your place, this place carries tons of it. You might be greeted by the slightly unusual owner, sitting behind the counter smoking a cigarette. It's an authentic little store.

Amsterdam / Restaurant

Hidden in the greenery near Westerpark, the perfect hideaway from street noise can be found if you know where to look: a little farm called "De Buurtboerderij". Surrounded by a bunch of sheep and a happily decorated garden, the restaurant inside serves one fixed menu a week for a low price. The farm serves as community center as well and is run by volunteers — and you when you eat there! — and there are plenty of sweet people and animals to hang out with.

Amsterdam / Attraction

The best place to read a book outside or inside one of the greenhouses and be surrounded by all of these different species of nature.

Amsterdam / Bakery

Good coffees and pastries in a lovely place

Amsterdam / Museum

Unfortunately it’s not in Amsterdam but De Pont, museum of contemporary art is worth the 1,5 hour trip with the train. The building itself is beautiful, it’s a former wool mill but also there collection is worth seeing!