Waterlooplein Flea Market in Amsterdam

Waterlooplein Flea market is a big outdoor bazaar, best for the second hand clothing and full of general bric-a-brac. Traditionally oldest and most interesting market of Amsterdam, Waterlooplein has been during the last decennia’s connected with the youth culture. You can buy here trendy t-shirts, old military uniforms, Che Guevara posters, cheap canned spray paints for the graffiti’s, objects from underdeveloped countries of Africa and Asia as well as get a tattoo.

A bit of history

The square itself  has been created in 1880, on the place of the two canals, Leprozengracht and Houtgracht. Since 1893, a Jewish market has been created there, the biggest and the most important Jewish market in Amsterdam. This has been ended in 1941, with the persecution of Jews by the Nazi Germany. After the World War II, the Waterlooplein market was reborn, first as a general bazaar, then in the 60s and 70s of the XXth century, as a trading place connected with the youth culture. Amsterdam has been a magnet for the hippies from all over Europe and the Magic Center of the alternative Provo’s culture. Between 1977-1984, the market had to move, as on the Waterloo square, the huge white building of the town hall and the opera has been built. After construction has been completed, returned to its present location behind the Town hall (Dutch: het Stadhuis) the Waterlooplein market regained its importance.