Amsterdam is the most watery city in the world.Its canals and harbors fill a full quarter of her surface. Its waterways have always been its essence and its source of wealth
The 17th century Canal Belt was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2011 and the medieval center of the city (The Red light district) is undergoing an extensive renovation with Project 1012. That name refers to the postal area code of that section of the city. That project aims to reduce prostitution in the area with at least 30 percent and to highlight the historical aspects of the oldest section of Amsterdam.
The oldest canals in the city - The Red light district
Amsterdam is the only ancient city in the world where the medieval center is not a museum but a Red light district. Already in the Middle ages, drinking houses were established around the first harbors in the city. The first brothels here were opened in the 15th century, mainly in the Warmoesstraat and the alleys around it. But along the first canals in the area, rich merchants and regents established residence. Among many other famous occupants of the oldest canal in the city, our 17th century national hero admiral Maarten Hapertsz. Tromp lived here.
The photograph of his house reveals that today a sex company has set up shop there. It symbolizes the dualistic nature of the area, which is crossed by the oldest and most beautiful canals in the city. The municipal project "1012" aims at reducing prostitution in the area and highlight the historical importance of these canals. For that reason, on this page you find a description of a canal cruise through medieval Amsterdam. For the first time in the hundred year history of Amsterdam Canal cruises, it is now possible to buy a ticket for a regular scheduled cruise on the oldest and most beautiful canals in Amsterdam. The new Friendship Cruise company made that possible.
Herengracht (Gentlemen's Canal)
The Gentlemen's canal is considered to be the most
important canal in Amsterdam. In the 17th century, the richest merchants, the
mayors and the most influential regents of the city resided on this canal. An
adress on the Gentlemen's canal is still considered to be prestigeous. The
offical residence of the mayor of Amsterdam is on this canal at nr. 502
Keizersgracht (Emperor's canal)
The Emperor's canal is the middle one of the three main
canals of the city. It was named after emperor Maximillian of Austria. The
canal is 31 metres wide, which makes it the widest canal in the city center.
Digging this canal started in the year 1612, simultaneously with the
Gentlemen's canal and Prince's canal. Originally a wide boulevard without water
was planned here, but the future residents wanted a canal in front of their
houses, so they could reach their house by boat.
Prinsengracht (Prince's canal)
The Prince's canal is the third and outermost of the
three main canals of Amsterdam. Together these three canals form the
"Fourth outlay" of the city, an extension project that was started in
1612 and completed 50 years later. It made the city four times as big as it was
when the project was started. During the 17th century the population of the
city grew from 50 000 to 200 000, which made Amsterdam the 3rd biggest city in
the world, after London and Paris. In 2009, the Amsterdam canal belt was placed
on the world heritage list of UNESCO.
Source: http://www.amsterdam.info/canals/
Lunch with the family, dim sum yeay....
me as an object!
Flower market, the best!
Honey, where do we park the bike?
ehr ya... cheesy.. we visited Madame Tussaud Ams :D
