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 rumour
has it it is the largest daytime market in Europe. It is also an
important tourist attraction.