Guarding Blue. Sphinxian Entrance, Wertheim Park, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Just opposite the Hortus Botanicus of Amsterdam is delightful and at the same time sombre Wertheim Park. It's the oldest public park in this city.
In the seventeenth century this larger part of Amsterdam was designated a 'green area', the so-called Plantage. Down through the centuries the architecture of mansions and the Artis zoo whittled away at the greenery. But the day for the Hortus and the Wertheim Park was saved by Napoleon. He stayed in Amsterdam in 1812, and 'presented' the town with both parks on its own purse. Regardless, Amsterdam made the best of the Emperor's 'gift'. The Park became the grounds of a concert hall and other worthy enterprises. These were later torn down and today it's a pretty green, tree-filled sanctuary. In 1897 it was named for a wealthy Jewish merchant and philanthropist, Abraham Carel Wertheim (1832-1897). By then, though, these two marvellous Sphinxes in Empire (= Napoleontic) style had already been erected as part of the Entrance Gate.
During the German Occupation (World War II), Wertheim was of course divested from the park's name; and the originally zinc or bronze Sphinxes also disappeared. Wertheim's name was restored after the war; and in 1982 copies of the Sphinxes - now in marble - were placed. The Wertheim Park today also has a notable, sombre memorial to the slaughter of Auschwitz.
Guarding Blue. Sphinxian Entrance, Wertheim Park, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Just opposite the Hortus Botanicus of Amsterdam is delightful and at the same time sombre Wertheim Park. It's the oldest public park in this city.
In the seventeenth century this larger part of Amsterdam was designated a 'green area', the so-called Plantage. Down through the centuries the architecture of mansions and the Artis zoo whittled away at the greenery. But the day for the Hortus and the Wertheim Park was saved by Napoleon. He stayed in Amsterdam in 1812, and 'presented' the town with both parks on its own purse. Regardless, Amsterdam made the best of the Emperor's 'gift'. The Park became the grounds of a concert hall and other worthy enterprises. These were later torn down and today it's a pretty green, tree-filled sanctuary. In 1897 it was named for a wealthy Jewish merchant and philanthropist, Abraham Carel Wertheim (1832-1897). By then, though, these two marvellous Sphinxes in Empire (= Napoleontic) style had already been erected as part of the Entrance Gate.
During the German Occupation (World War II), Wertheim was of course divested from the park's name; and the originally zinc or bronze Sphinxes also disappeared. Wertheim's name was restored after the war; and in 1982 copies of the Sphinxes - now in marble - were placed. The Wertheim Park today also has a notable, sombre memorial to the slaughter of Auschwitz.