(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The Netherlands and the flower markets of the world are a trading combination that is centuries old.
Whilst the Netherlands grows between 7 and 8 billion blooms per year and has been the biggest producer of cut flowers in the world, in the more recent past, it’s role as a Trader of the World Flowers has quite literally “blossomed”.
The Flower Market at Aalsmeer is the biggest flower auction in the world, and the Dutch do not only grow and sell flowers, they also have very strong cultural and social links to them too.
It’s totally normal to see people carrying bunches of blooms home, especially on Friday after work so that your house is full of fresh flowers for the weekend, but it’s also customary when visiting, or going out to dinner at someone’s home, to bring your host a bunch of flowers.
You will find flower stalls in every suburb of the Netherlands, so it’s no surprise to find that Amsterdam, like many larger centers also has an even larger “Bloemenmarkt” (Flower Market).
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
The Amsterdam Flower Market however is not like most in one respect: the market “stalls” are actually floating on the canal and so you can walk along the canal side and look in and pick out your blooms.
It’s the only floating Flower Market in the world.
The back-sides of these “houseboats for flowers” that face the water have been decorated in many cases with photographic scenes of what the boat contains. In a few cases the backside of the boat is made or either glass or perspex panels so you can see directly inside.
Certainly it’s a tourist attraction, but make no mistake, the locals come here to buy their flowers in their droves (prices can be cheaper because having the “shop” on the water means lower overhead costs for the sellers).
We pass by in our little boat from The St.Nicolaas Boat Club, so first get a prime view at water level and later Himself and I we walk past and see it from “top-side” too.
These shops specialise in selling seeds, bulbs and cut flowers and you will find them at: Singel, 1071 AZ / Tram: Muntplein: tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 & 25 Open: Monday – Saturday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
(photograph © Kiwidutch)
That is truly interesting. Question: Who owns/has the right to/ the canalside “parking spaces” where the shops are moored? Can anyone set up shop on a canal, or is there a permit system, or . . . ?? It’s certainly different, and “different” is always appealing in a travel destination. I’m liking these peeks into the canal trip.
Comment by Gerry — March 22, 2011 @ 2:12 am |
Gerry,
It’s definitely not “free” space (if it were, all canals here would be wall to wall boats as people take advantage! LOL)
The “Binnenwaterbeheer” (Inland Waterways Management Department) manages the use of all water spaces, and probably manages the volume of boats as a whole, but I think that it would be logical that the “Gemeente” (City Council) would be the ones handing out licenses to trade, collecting rents etc since these ARE businesses, and connect to the land for electric power, need refuse collection etc. (similar to how the Gemeente manages the houseboats)
I think that they make sure that only so many of these are in business at once and that they are maintained etc.
Shop rentals are very high here because space is limited, so whilst I don’t actually think the rentals on these are cheap, they are still far cheaper than a regular shop in the shopping streets nearby.
Comment by kiwidutch — March 22, 2011 @ 5:38 am |
Very nice post – great photos
Comment by sketchjay — March 22, 2011 @ 3:46 am |
Thanks Dawn!
Welcome to my blog and I’m glad you liked the photos
Comment by kiwidutch — March 22, 2011 @ 6:17 am |
I’ve never seen anything like this! I want to go there soooo bad. I love canals, but have only seen the kind in the UK. There are very few here, though we do have rivers and a riverbank culture.
Comment by Invisible Mikey — March 22, 2011 @ 8:03 am |
Mikey,
If you were to come here, I would be very happy to be your tour guide! Imagine that, Invisible Mikey mets Invisible Kiwidutch! We’d have a blast!
Comment by kiwidutch — March 22, 2011 @ 10:06 am |
Those photo walls look amazing, sometimes it looks real in a certain perspective.
Comment by rsmacaalay — March 23, 2011 @ 6:02 am |
The third photo down is real, in that the back wall of the boat is either perspex or glass and you are looking into the shop from the rear.
I love the idea that the “view” is actually what you would see if you could see through the back walls…. it makes it personal (and more interesting) and not ‘just’ any old flower photo pasted on the back.
In fact it’s inspired move, because basically it’s free advertising of what’s in the shop to people on the water, or the other side of the canal.
I’m sure many people must have been interested enough to stop and go look a little closer (and buy something!)
Comment by kiwidutch — March 23, 2011 @ 6:26 am |
Ooooh, I would have a tough time resisting making a large purchase in flower market! Of cours, hubby would be there, the voice of reason, making sure I understood that there would be no way to cart said purchases home. These flower stalls must be wonderful places to visit in the colder months – to get a fix of ‘spring/summer’ all year round!
Comment by milkayphoto — March 24, 2011 @ 6:23 pm |
Thank You showing Flower Market street. It has been passed long time when we last time visited here and bought seed to our small garden. I love the place and to “smell” the fragrance of flowers is wonderful experience. The place inspires man to buy seed or something interesting to one’s souvenir.
Comment by sartenada — March 25, 2011 @ 8:22 am |
Matti,
I hope that your Dutch seeds grew well in your little garden (you didn’t buy the marijuana seeds on offer did you??? LOL)
The bouquet of a flower market can be quite heady… especially on a warm summers day, wonderful isn’t it!
Comment by kiwidutch — March 25, 2011 @ 9:00 am |