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| 0124 Amsterdam - Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) (1) |
Posted on 13.02.2012, 30.10.2014, 21.01.2016
90 islands, separated by some 100km of canals and linked by about 400 stone bridges. This is Amsterdam, the Venice of the North. Only a small fishing village in the 12th century, it was granted city rights in 1300, and soared soon due to the trade with the Hanseatic League. In the 16th century it still was a port of the second line, and the increase from the next century owes it, neither more nor less, to the religious tolerance. Here have found refuge Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, Huguenots from France, and Protestants from Flanders and Brabant. They, the immigrants, turned Amsterdam in the 17th century in the belly button of the world. |
| 2231 Amsterdam - Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) (2) |
In few years, Amsterdam became too small, so that it was made a plan to extend the boundaries of the city. The plan was passed in 1607, and the work began 6 years later. The city's council bought the land around, dug canals, and leased the plots back to developers. The three main canals dug in the 17th century - Herengracht (Lord's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal) - together with Singel (which served as a moat around the city until 1585, when it expanded), form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel (The Canal District).
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| 1323 Amsterdam - Westerkerk (Western Church), on the bank of Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal) |
The city's area increased enormous, but nevertheless the council imposed strict conditions: Herengracht , Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht were set aside for the residences and businesses of the richer merchants, while the radial cross-streets were reserved for more modest artisans' homes. In the Grachtengordel even the wealthiest merchant had to comply with strict planning regulations. The council prescribed the size of each building plot, the end result being what we see now: tall, narrow residences, whose individualism is restricted to the stylistic permutations amongst the gables. Even the colour of the front doors was regulated, with choice restricted to a shade that has become known as "Amsterdam Green".
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