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Magnificent and quite unexpected, concealed behind an unexceptional façade, A L van Gendt’s Hollandsche Manege is a vast Neo-Classical indoor riding school, built in 1881 and designed by A.L. van Gendt (who also designed the Concert Hall at the Museum Square). It was commissioned to replace the original Dutch Riding School building, which was situated on Leidsegracht. Based on the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, it sports elegant plasterwork, sculpted horses’ heads, and a stunning open ironwork roof rising high above the sand arena. The school was threatened with demolition in the 1980s, but public outcry saved it. The high inside riding track with the balustrades and the beautiful decorations breath the grandness and allure of old times. From the balcony, one has perfect views of equestrian arts and manoeuvres in action. There is also a café on one of the upper floors. Although the art of horse-riding in the Amsterdam stables is not of the same high standard as in Vienna, the building is still very much worth a visit for enthusiasts. De Hollandsche Manege Vondelstraat 140 1054 GT Amsterdam Tel. 020-618 0942 Opening hours Mo t/m Fr 9.00-1.00, Sa 8.00-20.00, Su 8.00-17.00. Admission Free. More info (Dutch): www.dehollandschemanege.nl IMPORTANT: * Fees are covered by you and only yourself. * Minimum amount of participants required: 5. Because it's not always possible to reach everybody in time to keep them up to date about whether there are enough definitive participants. Always check this web page on the day of the event to see whether five or more people (still) say 'Yes' to this meetup. If not, the event is cancelled by default. 'Maybe's' I cannot count, unfortunately. * The weather may also be a factor. If it's too bad, the event may be cancelled. Again, check this web page on the day of the event. I will keep a close watch on the weather in the preceding days. * Usually we also go for lunch or drinks afterwards.
When: May 24, 2009 1:00:00 PM Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posted by:evdb
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Viennese-like Riding School (Hollandsche Manege)
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