Dam Square

Dam Square is the namesake of Amsterdam: in the 13th century a dam was built across the Amstel river here, and the city grew up around it. The square is dominated by the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century as the town hall of the Dutch Republic and considered the eighth wonder of the world at the time. Next to it stand the Nieuwe Kerk, where Dutch monarchs are inaugurated, and the National Monument, a 22-meter obelisk commemorating the victims of World War II. Every May 4 the national remembrance ceremony with two minutes of silence is held here. By day the square is chronically packed with pigeons, street performers and tourists, but in the early morning the mood is utterly different and almost empty.