Gemeente Haarlem City Map Poster

About Gemeente Haarlem

The city is located on the river Spaarne, about east of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. It has been the historical centre of the tulip bulb-growing district for centuries and bears witness to Holland's Golden Age, as described in "De Lakenhal" (the Cloth Hall), built in 1615. Haarlem has a rich history dating back to pre-medieval times; it hosted several meetings of both the States General of the Netherlands and later also those of the Dutch Republic. The town was granted city rights in 1245 by Count Floris V. These rights were subsequently ratified by Philip II of Spain in 1584 after his victory over forces led by William I, Prince van Orange that ended with a decisive battle fought at Heiligerlee just south west from Haarlem on 23 February 1574 (see Battle off Texel).