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Canal Ring Architecture walk
Canal Ring Architecture tour
Canal Ring Architecture walk
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StartingpointWe start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
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Duration | Distance2 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
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HighlightsWesterkerk, House with the Heads, Narrowest canal house, Nieuwe Lutherse kerk, oldest bridge, crooked architecture.
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PriceAvailable from €60,- p.p. (minimum 2 persons)
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StartingpointWe start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
-
Duration | Distance2 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
-
HighlightsWesterkerk, House with the Heads, narrowest canal house, Nieuwe Lutherse kerk, oldest bridge, crooked architecture.
-
PriceAvailable from €60,- p.p. (minimum 2 persons)
Canal Ring Architecture Tour
The Amsterdam canals are an unique urban landscape. Miles of waterways stretch out underneath hundreds of bridges, forming a ring around the medieval city center. It’s easy to get lost here. Some visitors to Amsterdam complain that all the canals look exactly the same. We – naturally – disagree and are happy to help you get your bearings of the Amsterdam canal ring.
Renaissance in a swamp
During the Canal Ring Architecture Walk we explain the link between the the Italian renaissance and the Amsterdam canals. Lustrous architectural ideals and urban design from Italy versus the sobering terrain conditions of the lowlands – the muddy mouth of the river Amstel and its boggy polder landscape. How did the Dutch come up with and manage to execute this revolutionary expansion plan?
Boomtown Amsterdam
We start where the canal ring itself started: at the Brouwersgracht, on the Herenmarkt: a place full of stories. Here we take you to the Amsterdam of the 1500s, when the city was bursting at the seams and seriously neeeded to expand. We explain how the iconic shape of the canal ring was born. We also talk about the difficulties that the engineers stumbled upon while building it.
Warehouse of the world
In the late 1500s the city of Amsterdam had managed to place itself into the center of Northern-European trade. The legacy of this role as spider in a web of trade routes can be seen all over the city, especially along the canals. We explain how the many warehouses functioned and how new innovations in trade led to the sudden enormous success of Amsterdam.
Canal Ring Architecture
On the Canal Ring Architecture Walk we highlight the abundance of architectural styles that make Amsterdam so unique: from Flemish Mannerism to Dutch Renaissance, Baroque and the French Louis styles. Why do the houses look the way they do? On this tour you will learn to understand how all these architectural styles are related and also how it was possible that the canal ring remained intact throughout four centuries.
Religious Amsterdam
Along the Singel we talk about religion in Amsterdam. Lutherans, Calvinists, Jews and Catholics: all possible denominations found a home along the canals. Learn how Amsterdam’s tolerance towards people of different religions was unique in 17th century Europe. Understand why you see so many churches without a church tower and why the back of the iconic Wester Church is so much prettier than the front. Discover how religious Amsterdam is today.
Living along the canals
What have René Descartes, Rembrandt van Rijn, John Adams and Anne Frank in common? They all lived along Amsterdam’s historical canals. Besides them famous, as well as obscure merchants, bankers, politicians, writers, captains of industry spend their days there. We will make you acquainted with some of these illustrious characters.
In Dutch society the ‘Canal Ring’ has become synonymous for the urban elite of the country: a closed biotope of the political and intellectual upper class. Learn from a local how this small group shaped (and continues to shape) the image of the Canal Ring in The Netherlands.
Backdrop for festivities
Today the Amsterdam canals form the backdrop of several national celebrations like Kingsday and Gay Pride. Get the stories behind the picturesque facades with your own private local guide.
Tour reviews
- Nancy L
Gerben Post is an outstanding and knowledgeable tour guide. He provided a moving experience about a topic that is difficult and painful. His ability to provide important and... read more 
7/29/2019 - On our first trip to Amsterdam together, my husband and I wanted to get a city tour and make the most of our relatively short time here. Historical Amsterdam... read more
EdSamDC
11/24/2018 - eugenma I've been in the Tijs's "Amsterdam Jewish in WW2" tour. I live in Amsterdam for quite some time and was walking near these spots without knowing so many tears... read more
5/11/2019 - All communication before the tour was prompt and friendly. Tijs was waiting exactly where he was supposed to be, and we did a walking tour which covered the Golden... read more
Lovetotravel7559
7/25/2018 - Tijs our guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and interesting. In a short hours we already got all the information and history of Amsterdam, let us know more about Amsterdam this... read more
hazelo643
3/09/2018
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