Magna Plaza, Amsterdam

Magna Plaza

The Magna Plaza shopping center is located on the Nieuwe­zijds Voor­burg­wal across from the Konink­lijk Paleis (Royal Palace) and the…
Beulingsloot, Amsterdam

Beulingsloot

This short canal is a remnant of and old drainage ditch that previously ran more to the West. Now it runs from the Singel to the Heren­gracht,…
Amsterdam, the imperial crown on the Westertoren

The Crowned City

Did Amsterdam really receive the right to carry the Emperor's crown above the city emblem as a gift of gratitude, or — much more prosaic — did they…
Former wooden police station, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam

Wooden Police Stations

Across from the Betty Asfalt Complex and the Postzegel­markt, on a small square at Nieuwe­zijds Voor­burg­wal 287, almost at the height…
Collapsed quay, Grimburgwal, Amsterdam, 2020

The Decay of Amsterdam’s Quays

Amsterdam has around 900 km (560 mi) quays and water borders, of which around 300 km (186 mi) are owned by third parties, who are responsible…
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…
American Hotel, Leidseplein, Amsterdam

American Hotel

In the 19th century the Netherlands was one of the largest investors in the United States, second only to England. The first American Hotel (1882-1900)…
Helios building, Spui, Amsterdam

Helios Building

The Helios building at Spui 15-19, designed by architect Gerrit van Arkel in Art Nouveau style, was built for portrait photographer Max Bütting­hausen…