Sint Luciënsteeg, Amsterdam

Sint Luciënsteeg

The Sint Luciën­steeg (Saint Lucia Alley) is a narrow street which runs between the Kalver­straat and the Nieuwe­zijds Voor­burg­wal.…
Peat soil

Building on a Wet Sponge

Amsterdam was built on a swampy area of the Amstel estuary, regularly flooded, and consisting mostly of peat soil and bogs. This type of soil (thick compacted…
Hemelrijk neighbourhood, Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s Kingdom of Heaven

The Hemelrijk (Kingdom of Heaven) is a smaller neighbour­hood, between Singel and Hekel­veld, named after an over­populated slum area there,…
Torensluis, Amsterdam

Torensluis

The Toren­sluis (Tower Sluice) is an arch bridge from 1649, crossing the Singel at the corner of the Toren­steeg. At 42 meter (138 ft)…
Begijnhof, Amsterdam

Begijnhof

The Begijn­hof (Beguine Court­yard) from the 14th century has two entrances: one on the Spui, the other on the Gedempte Begijnen­sloot (Filled-In…