Haarlem CS

Haarlem CS (Central Station): origin, style, architectonic details, difference between Haarlem CS and railway stations in other cities, renovations, qualification as “Rijksmonument” (state monument) and decoration for both national as international blockbuster movies like “Zwartboek” and “Ocean’s Twelve”.

Origin and style of Haarlem CS

Built in the early twentieth century, Haarlem Central Station appears as a fine example of the “Art Nouveau Style”/”Jugend Stil Style” with many references to the Gothic style. It is composed of two brick buildings joined together by iron trusses, which is a characteristic feature of the early ‘900.

The difference between Haarlem CS and railway stations in other cities

One element that distinguishes the central station of Haarlem from other Dutch stations consists of panels with beautiful colored tiles similar to Delft pottery. The oldest panel is located inside the entrance hall and depicts scenes of field workers.

The other pretty decorative panels can be found at multiple locations:

1) On the walls of the main building which depict the centenary of the old railway line, named the ‘ Oude Lijn’. This is the used term for the oldest railway of the Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (HSJM), which runs from/between Amsterdam-Haarlem-Leiden-Den Haag HS and Rotterdam. The ‘Oude Lijn’ is the first built railway in the Netherlands and was opened on September 20, 1839.

2) In the waiting rooms that provided, once, a clear distinction between the social divides “Wachtkamer Eerste, Tweede en Derde Klasse” (first-class, second-class and third-class waiting room).

Old square transformed into modern square

The old square in front of the station, where only transit buses and taxi’s are allowed, was upgraded and transformed into a modern square in 2012 with an underground bicycle shed (“fietsenstalling”). The bicycle shed stores over 8,000 bicycles and represents one of the most extraordinary results of the Dutch cycling culture.

Main entrance hall

For train travellers the main entrance hall forms a gorgeous entryway to the city. Although delays are quite annoying, travellers with a positive mindset – who want to make the best of their ‘killing time’ at the Haarlem station, whenever they are stuck – might even enjoy making a (small) tour throughout the building to admire the many details. It’s absolutely worth it.

Cool facts

Nice to know is that the station building itself has been qualified as “Rijksmonument” (state monument).

It’s therefore, most probably, not without reason that the marvellous complex has been selected and used as scene decoration for both national as international blockbuster movies like “Zwartboek” and “Ocean’s Twelve“.