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AM
The name Amstelledamme means a
dam on the Amstel river.
It is thought that the
considerations of the layout were
purely practical and defensive
rather than ornamental.
God built the world, but the Dutch
built Holland.
Amsterdam circa 1544, before the semi-circular ring of canals was added.
And the city limits were defined by the Singel canal to the
west, and the Kloveniersburgwal (wall) to the east.
The semi-circle on the south side of the IJ, originally the estuary of the Amstel
to the Zuiderzee (South sea), nowadays canalised. Going east from Central
Station, the railway passes the artificial islands of the redeveloped Eastern
Docklands. North of the IJ is mainly housing, although a major dockland
redevelopment has started there too.
The river Amstel flows into the city from the south. Originally, it flowed along
the line Rokin-Damrak. The dam in the Amstel, was located under the
present Bijenkorf department store. The original settlement was on the right
bank of the Amstel, on the present Warmoesstraat: it is therefore the oldest
street in the city.
Amsterdam and surroundings around 1770. The expansion has come to a standstill
The city has expanded in all directions, except to the northeast of the
ring motorway. That area is a protected rural landscape of open fields
and small villages that could be considered a part of the Waterland
region.
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CUL
TUR
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CUL
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Old Centre
The medieval centre and most visited area of Amsterdam. It is known for its traditional architecture, canals, shopping, and
many coffee shops. Dam Square is considered its ultimate centre, but just as interesting are the areas around Nieuwmarkt and
Spui
Canal Ring
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canal Ring was dug in the 17th century to attract wealthy home owners. It is still a posh
neighbourhood with many Dutch celebrities owning property.
Jordaan
A traditional working class area gone upmarket with plenty of art galleries, hip boutiques and happening restaurants. Also
includes the Haarlemmerbuurt and the Western Islands.
Bijlmer
An exclave of Amsterdam, the Bijlmer was foreseen as a neighbourhood of the future
Bijlmer
Large apartment blocks
separated by tracts of green.
It turned into a lower-class
residential district home to
people of over 150 nationalities,
often associated with crime and
robberies.
Its safety record has improved
remarkably the last years, but it
still is mostly visited by
adventurous travellers (and
football fans).
South
One of Amsterdam's prime areas, a trip to the city is
not complete without a visit to the Museum Quarter.
You can chill in the Vondel park with a bottle of wine,
or go hunt for bargains at the Albert Cuyp Market. It
is the most popular area for accommodation as rates
are considerably cheaper than in the city centre.
West
A vast suburban area that can be divided in Old and
New West. The Old West is a charming area built in
the late 19th century. The New West was built after
World War II and often catches newspaper
headlines for crime; urban renewal is underway to
improve living conditions in this area.
North
The North is mainly a residential suburb that lies at
the northern side of the IJ, with a rapidly developing
hub of cultural activity along the shore of the river.
Many visitors are attracted to the area east of the
motorway A10, a protected polder area that culturally
belongs to the Waterland and Zaan Region.
East
The East is a large and diverse residential area. The
Eastern Docklands and IJ burg stand out as
relatively affluent neighbourhoods known for their
modern architecture.
Canals of Amsterdam
The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious city planning
comprehensive plan was developed that was based on four concentric
half-circles of canals with their ends emerging at the IJ bay. The canals
served for defence, water management and transport. The defences took
the form of a moat and earthen dikes, with gates at transit points
Over the years, several canals have been filled in, becoming streets or
squares, such as the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the Spui
Six major concentric canals ring the Old Centre; the Singel, the
Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, the Prinsengracht, the Lijnbaansgracht,
and the Singelgracht, together forming the Canal Ring.
ARCHITECTURE OF AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centres in Europe, with about 7,000
registered historic buildings. The street pattern has been largely unchanged since
the 19th century there was no major bombing during World War II. The centre
consists of 90 islands linked by 400 bridges, some of them beautifully lit at night.
God built
the world,
but the
Dutch built
Holland.
The Scheepvaarthuis, by architects Johan van
der Mey, Michel de Klerk, Piet Kramer is
characteristic of architecture of Amsterdam
The Westerkerk, designed by Dutch architect
School style.
Hendrick de Keyser in the Renaissance style. At
ARCHITECTURE STYLES
85m (280 ft) the cathedral's "Westertoren" steeple
PRACTICED IN AMSTERDAM
is the highest in Amsterdam.
The canal houses on the right are characteristic of
the architectural styles from the Dutch Golden Age.
Amsterdam school style
Baroque
Gothic
Renaissance
Art Nouveau
Art Deco
Classicism
Concertgebouw
Rijksmuseum