I’m fascinated by the stories behind Amsterdam’s street names. Particularly those streets that are named after people.
This is van Noordtkade, in the Westerpark, named after Olivier van Noort.
The plaque tells us a bit about him. He was the first Dutchman to travel around the world. He set off in July 1598, with four ships and a crew of 248 men. He returned in August 1601, with one ship and only 45 men. (Wonder why they aren’t also being celebrated.)
There’s actually some serious drama behind the whole enterprise, but you don’t really get that sense from reading the rather subdued version set out in the plaque. You’d have to look elsewhere to get the full dramatic tale –Wikipedia, for instance.
Our Olivier appears to have been quite the hellraiser. And then he ends up having this quiet street named after him. I’m not altogether sure he’d approve.
Leave a Reply