Haarlemmersluis
The Haarlemmersluis is the name of both a lock and adjacent bridge at the eastern end of Brouwersgracht, where the Singel canal drains into the IJ.…
Amsterdam’s Difficult Route to Sea
Until in 1876 the North Sea Canal provided a short direct route to the North Sea, Amsterdam's ships faced a long and dangerous trajectory across the former…
The West Side of Rokin, Part 2
A short history of Amsterdam's Rokin was already discussed in the post "The east side of Rokin", with the uneven numbers. The west side of Rokin…
Brouwersgracht
The Brouwersgracht (Brewers Canal) marks the border of the canal belt in the northwest and is considered one of the more beautiful canals in Amsterdam,…
Bullebakssluis & Raampoort
The Bullebakssluis (Bully Lock) is the name of a former lock between Lijnbaansgracht and Singelgracht at the far end of Bloemgracht,…
The West Side of Rokin, Part 1
A short history of Amsterdam's Rokin was already outlined in the blog post "The east side of Rokin", which holds the uneven numbers. The west…
The East Side of Rokin
The Rokin, between Dam and Muntplein, is part of the original Amstel river bank, first simply called Amstel. Near Dam square a dam had been built…
Waalseiland
Close to the city center and bordering on the water of the Oosterdok, wedged between the Lastage neighborhood and the former island Rapenburg…
Damrak
The first Amsterdam street you encounter when arriving from Central Station is Damrak, which runs from Prins Hendrikkade to Dam square. On the…
De L’Europe Amsterdam
At Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2-14 is the iconic hotel De L'Europe from 1896, where the Amstel river flows into the Rokin. This five-star…
Nieuwe Kerk
The Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), next to the Royal Palace on Dam square, was the second Catholic church in Amsterdam, its history started in 1380…
Pavilion Welgelegen in Haarlem
Villa Welgelegen is located at the north end of the public park Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem, 40 km (25 mi) west of Amsterdam, near…