Albert Cuyp Market
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Albert Cuyp Market is a street market in Amsterdam on the Albert Cuypstraat between Fredinand Bolstraat and Van Woustraat, in the De Pijp area of the "Oud-Zuid" district of the city. The street and market are named for Albert Cuyp, a 17th century painter.
The market began as an ad hoc collection of street traders and pushcarts. By the beginning of the 20th century this had become so chaotic that in 1905 the city government decided to set up a market, at first only held on Saturday evenings. In 1912, the market became a daytime market open 6 days a week. Originally the street was accessible while the market was taking place, but for years now the street has been completely closed off to traffic during market hours.
The product selection at the market varies from the traditional range of vegetable, fruit and fish to clothing and even cameras. There are many products sold that of are interest to the city's residents of Surinamese, Antillian, Turkish, and Moroccan origin, giving the market and neighbourhood a strong multicultural feel.
The market is the busiest in all of the Netherlands and according to rumour, it is the largest daytime market in Europe. It is also an important tourist attraction.