Amsterdam Canals Secrets

Amsterdam canals make the city so beautiful and attractive.

Canals in Amsterdam cover an area more than 100 kilometers and with a fantastic collection of 90 islands and 1500 bridges.

Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht are the three principal Amsterdam canals that act like a concrete belt all around the city and this belt of canals is referred to as grachtengordel.

History of Amsterdam says that the canals were dug in the seventeenth century at the time of the Dutch Golden Age. Beside the main canals, you will find the long standing 1550 monumental edifices.

History Of The Amsterdam Canals
In the early part of the 17th century when a proper city planning was done, an idea was given shape of the canals. These canals were mainly required for the transportation of goods, especially beer.

The swankiest part of this canal is known as the Golden Bend, which comes with a wide selection of doublewide mansions, inner gardens and coach houses on the Keizersgracht.

Prinsengracht – This is the fourth and the longest canal in Amsterdam. Most of the canal houses that you can see along Prinsengracht came into being during the Dutch Golden Age of the United Provinces. However, the bridges over these canals are in no way linked with the streets of Jordan.

Some of the most notable sights along Prinsengracht include the Noorderkerk (Northern Church), the Noordermarkt (Northern Market), the Anne Frank House, the Westerkerk (Western Church, Amsterdam's tallest church) with the Homomonument (Gay Monument).

Brouwersgracht – This is a canal in the center of Amsterdam and it forms a part of the canal belt, which successfully connects the Singel. This canal is noted for its charm and beauty.

Singel – As one of the most significant canals of the Middle Ages Singel has contributed much in making the city more beautiful and significant. From 1480 to 1585, this canal has served as a moat from all sides of the city.

It has its source in the IJ Bay near Central Station and it travels up to Muntplein square where it meets the Amstel River.

Keizersgracht – This is the second and the widest of the three principal canals at the center of the city. It has its place in between the Herengracht and the Prinsengracht and it has its name from Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor.

Kloveniersburgwal – This is again one of those Amsterdam canals, which runs from Nieuwmarkt to the river Amstel following the edge of the medieval city.

During the 17th century, the eastern side of the canal became densely populated and a few rich mansions grew up making the place all the more significant and affluent. Here you also get to see a youth hostel.

Zwanenburgwal – This is again one of the canals at the center of the city. It is the home place of both the painter Rembrandt and philosopher Spinoza. It got its apposite recognition in 2006 when it was acknowledged as one of the most beautiful and well-constructed streets of Amsterdam.

However, Amsterdam canals are not just some mere water bodies. They contribute by accentuating the beauty and exuberance of the city.

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