It has cobblestoned lanes, Gothic cathedrals, and a vibrant main square.
The city reached its peak prosperity in the 17th century when it was a refuge for the Huguenots and was an artistic centre.
The Harlem in the US was originally a Dutch outpost, founded in 1658. It was originally named Nieuw Haarlem after Dutch Haarlem in the Netherlands.
Cocktail Party Trivia: Haarlemmers were notorious consumers of beer. It was a popular breakfast drink, and the average person drank six pints a day. Now, keep in mind that could be justified by the fact that back in the day drinking beer was safer than drinking water.
