Amsterdam Waterloo plein streetview

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Once upon a time today's Waterlooplein was the pivot of the Amsterdam Jewish quarter. In the 17th century both Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants settled around there.

A lively street scene soon developed, especially since Jews couldn't own a shop - peddling was the only thing.
In 1882 after some of the canals had been filled in, the street market was held on the new city square of Waterlooplein. Stallholders who came from elsewhere were at first furious about the compulsory move. They complained that too few shoppers would come and the spot was too windy. Despite this, the market soon became highly popular.

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