Top 5 Photography Ideas For Amsterdam
In this blog Historical Amsterdam Tours has curated some of the most iconic spots, as well as several snappy ideas to capture this vibrant old city.
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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 | Distance2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
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HighlightsWesterkerk, A visit inside a canal house, The 'House with the Heads', Narrowest canal house, Nieuwe Lutherse kerk, oldest bridge, crooked architecture.
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PriceSee Booking page
- Startingpoint
We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
- Duration | Distance
2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
- Highlights
Westerkerk, House with the Heads, narrowest canal house, Nieuwe Lutherse kerk, oldest bridge, crooked architecture.
- Price
See Booking page
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.
Visit a canal house
On this architectural walk you will visit one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful canal houses: The Bartolotti house. This city palace dates back from the early 1600s. Behind the front door it reveals one of Amsterdam’s best preserved rococo interiors and a lush Amsterdam canal house garden. We offer this unique opportunity in collaboration with cultural heritage foundation Hendrick de Keyser. Experience what it’s like to be living along the canals.
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, Gay Pride and various open air concerts. Get the stories behind the picturesque facades with your own private local guide.
Tour reviews
- 212claret
I really enjoyed my morning walking tour of the canal district with Historical Tours Amsterdam. Tijs’ knowledge of the city is amazing and he explains fascinating historical details clearly... read more 
March 3, 2020
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