We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
2 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
Westerkerk, House with the Heads, Narrowest canal house, Nieuwe Lutherse kerk, oldest bridge, crooked architecture.
Available from €60,- p.p. (minimum 2 persons)
We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
2 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
Westerkerk, House with the Heads, narrowest canal house, Nieuwe Lutherse kerk, oldest bridge, crooked architecture.
Available from €60,- p.p. (minimum 2 persons)
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We’ve lived in Amsterdam for 10 years and finally took the time to learn more about the fascinating history. The financial tour did not disappoint - learning about both the... read more
Visit a canal house Exclusive offer during the Canal Ring Architecture Walk Book this tour You’re invited Historical Amsterdam Tours and cultural heritage foundation Hendrick de Keyser invite you! The
