Axemen's Tranquillity. Windroosplein Park, Wittenburg Island, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In the 1650s three islands were constructed on the borders of Het IJ, Amsterdam's famous river connected then to the Zuyderzee and onwards to the World's Seas lapping at the coasts of all continents. The great Dutch fleets, such as that of the East Indies Trading Company (VOC), had many of their ships built at these islands; e.g. the VOC at Oosterburg. But also the other two - Kattenburg and Wittenburg - were known for their excellent worksmanship, such as the wharf owned by Jan Witheyn (1610-1662).
This kind of craftmanship obviously needed wood-taming implements such as axes or hatches - in Dutch: bijlen. And the men of these Eastern Islands were accordingly called Bijltjes, guys wielding axes... and not only for work. These areas were rough-and-ready regardless the great, austere Oosterkerk (East Church) erected in the seventeenth century on Wittenburg's southwestern perimeter. The islanders could also isolate themselves from the city proper by drawing up the access bridges. When they disagreed with the powers that be they were not easily quieted. For example, in 1787: the city regents had declared for the Patriots, the adherents of the French Revolution. The ships' carpenters were traditional, vocal and violent supporters of the Princes of Orange. A pitched battle ensued which has gone down in history as the Bijltjesoproer, the Hatchet Rebellion.
These Eastern Docklands have always had a rowdy even violent reputation. Even today it's not the quietest of Amsterdam areas, especially in the evening. But during the day it's a very pleasant and tranquil place to look around. Not least because of its little parks and monuments.
One of these is this lovely Autumnal Garden of the Windroosplein, 'Rose-of-the-Winds' Place. Beware: that's not a botanical name but rather designates the face of a compass giving the wind directions, a so-called Compass Rose. Quite appropriate for a shipbuilding history.
PS The pretty statuette - I would say twentieth century - was apparently recently placed. If anyone can tell me more about it... please!
Axemen's Tranquillity. Windroosplein Park, Wittenburg Island, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In the 1650s three islands were constructed on the borders of Het IJ, Amsterdam's famous river connected then to the Zuyderzee and onwards to the World's Seas lapping at the coasts of all continents. The great Dutch fleets, such as that of the East Indies Trading Company (VOC), had many of their ships built at these islands; e.g. the VOC at Oosterburg. But also the other two - Kattenburg and Wittenburg - were known for their excellent worksmanship, such as the wharf owned by Jan Witheyn (1610-1662).
This kind of craftmanship obviously needed wood-taming implements such as axes or hatches - in Dutch: bijlen. And the men of these Eastern Islands were accordingly called Bijltjes, guys wielding axes... and not only for work. These areas were rough-and-ready regardless the great, austere Oosterkerk (East Church) erected in the seventeenth century on Wittenburg's southwestern perimeter. The islanders could also isolate themselves from the city proper by drawing up the access bridges. When they disagreed with the powers that be they were not easily quieted. For example, in 1787: the city regents had declared for the Patriots, the adherents of the French Revolution. The ships' carpenters were traditional, vocal and violent supporters of the Princes of Orange. A pitched battle ensued which has gone down in history as the Bijltjesoproer, the Hatchet Rebellion.
These Eastern Docklands have always had a rowdy even violent reputation. Even today it's not the quietest of Amsterdam areas, especially in the evening. But during the day it's a very pleasant and tranquil place to look around. Not least because of its little parks and monuments.
One of these is this lovely Autumnal Garden of the Windroosplein, 'Rose-of-the-Winds' Place. Beware: that's not a botanical name but rather designates the face of a compass giving the wind directions, a so-called Compass Rose. Quite appropriate for a shipbuilding history.
PS The pretty statuette - I would say twentieth century - was apparently recently placed. If anyone can tell me more about it... please!