The central station is truly centrally located, although this location, initially much debated, separates the city from the harbor area or the IJ Lake. Constructed on three interconnected man-made islands, the station was built on wooden piles (8,687 pieces). The neo-Renaissance style, an historic style, is in line with other public buildings designed during the late 19th century, when historic styles were dominant--buildings like the Rijksmuseum (State Museum, also designed by Cuypers) and the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam Philharmonics). The monumental facade has two turrets and nationalistic stone reliefs celebrating the city and The Netherlands. The roof of cast iron was made in Derby, England.
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