Magna Plaza - Magna Plaza information and pictures



The Magna Plaza is an elegant upscale shopping mall in Amsterdam’s 19th century former main Post Office, located on Dam Square behind the Royal Palace. This ornate testament to neo-Gothic and Renaissance design was developed into a shopping center in 1992 and has become a favorite destination for upmarket shopping and dining.

The Architecture - Dutch architect, Cornelis Hendrik Peters designed the Magna Plaza building in 1899 in an ostentatious neo-Gothic style with soaring gothic towers and decorative statuary. The local residents dubbed the building the “Perenburg” or Pear Castle, because of its pear shaped crowned towers. The building stands out in a city known for its low-key architecture and is included among the top 100 buildings on the National Heritage list.

The interior of the Magna Plaza is quite a spectacle with rounded colonnades, a stunning glass domed ceiling and a spacious atrium. Four floors of balconied mezzanines feature gilded arches and Renaissance sculpture. This was the first shopping mall in the center of Amsterdam and remains one of the very few in the area. The Dutch favor European style shops on a smaller scale.

The Shops - The Magna Plaza features 40 upscale shops and several cafes and restaurants. Men and women’s fashions, such as Lacoste, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Armani are featured. Specialty children’s wooden toys, as well as Swarovski crystal are also available. It is certainly worth a trip for an up close view of the ornate interior of this stunning building, if not for the shopping.

After shopping, the Magna Plaza offers some marvelous spots for a coffee to take in the lavish setting. In a city that experiences many rainy days, this is a perfect spot to dry off and enjoy some refreshment. The ground floor has the popular Café Ovidius, a trendy brasserie serving coffees, pastries and light meals. The Segafredo espresso bar is located on the top mezzanine, offering Italian coffees with a wonderful view of the city below and the beautiful atrium and glass-domed ceiling.

Where is Magna Plaza: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182




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