[TheForge] Amsterdam

[Ries Niemi]

On Jan 11, 2006, at 12:02 PM, Wayne Ackman wrote:

> Hi all;
>
> I get to go on a trip.  My wife has a business meeting/conference in 
> Amsterdam for about 5 days in the middle of February.  I get to tag 
> along; tho' I am going to have to find ways to entertain myself. From 
> what I understand that might not be too difficult in Amsterdam.  :-)  
> I was wondering if anyone could suggest ironwork sites or blacksmiths 
> to visit.  I will probably go to Brussels for a day as I guess its not 
> too far.  The conference is actually 50 miles south of Amsterdam. 
> After her conference, we plan to go to Crete for a week.  Hopefully it 
> will be a little warmer. So any suggestions you all might have for my 
> trip would be appreciated.
> Wayne

Amsterdam itself has some great ironwork- the first ring of canals has 
bridges over it that have very cool heavy forged railings. These are 10 
minutes walk or less from the main square.
There are a couple of blacksmiths with shops right in town.
Then there is this museum-
http://www.smederijmuseum.nl/

Brussels is definitely worth going to- a random walk in just about any 
neighborhood will have tons of amazing ironwork, but the "art noveau" 
walking tour, which is described in most guidebooks, is a neighborhood 
with the masterpieces, including Horta's own house, which is a museum. 
Many of the houses are still lived in, so you can only look from the 
outside, but the Horta museum has amazing stair rails, light fixtures, 
and more inside, along with a bookstore, of course.
While in Brussels, stop by "Mort Subite"  which means "subtle death", 
an art noveau bar downtown, which sells strange local beers in an 
untouched art noveau bar with beautiful woodwork, ruled over by a 
haughty cat. Also in Brussels, good mussels, french fries, and 
chocolate. The african neighborhood is pretty cool too.

  Ries Niemi
Industrial Artist

http://www.RiesNiemi.com