There are places in Amsterdam that feel almost impossible to find in a busy city, and De Hollandsche Manege is one of them. You step inside from a regular street and suddenly you are in a historic riding school with soft light, wooden balconies, and the gentle sound of horses moving on the sand. It feels like time pauses for a moment.

What makes this place even more special is that it is not only a riding school. It is also a museum. You can walk along the balconies upstairs and learn about the long history of the building, the families who came here, and the traditions around horse riding in the Netherlands.

One part that stayed with me was the saddle used by women in the past. It is a side saddle, made for riding in long skirts, and it says so much about how society worked then. Seeing it in person helps you imagine how different life felt and how elegant people looked while riding.

The building itself has an important story too. It is one of the oldest riding schools in the country, and it holds so much of Amsterdam’s past in its walls. Thanks to Stadsherstel, the organisation that restores and protects historic buildings in the city, the manege is still standing today. Their work keeps places like this alive so we can keep exploring them and learning from them.

At the entrance hall, there is a stone that used to be outside the building. It was placed there to protect the facade, and now it is inside as part of the museum. It is a small detail, but I love it because it reminds you that old buildings carry not only stories but also objects that have survived many changes.

If you want a calm and unexpected place to visit in Amsterdam, this is a lovely stop. It is a quiet break from the city and a chance to see a part of Amsterdam you do not usually hear about.

Until the next time in Amsterdam,

Joanna

Your Vacation Photographer in Amsterdam