Architecture in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has much eye candy to offer to the architecture afficionado. From the 17th century canals to the grand sight of Central Station, Amsterdam has a unique and interesting look to its buildings.

Canals

Amsterdam's canals were built in the 17th century - little wonder that it is often referred to as Venice of the north. A leisurely stroll down its canals, particular the mains ones being Singel, and Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and Herengracht, is very rewarding.

The Eastern Docklands

This area is recently redeveloped. You can find here a new residential estate and many contempary buildings with a unique style not found elsewhere. There are also boat excursions allowing for a unique vantage point from which to take it all in.

Dutch Houses

Amsterdam is famous the world over for its tall and narrow houses. No wonder that you will find entire sections of souvenir shops dedicated to house trinkets and memorabilia!
The design dates from the 16th century, in a time when taxes were based on frontal area and thus were built deep rather than wide. Thus they usually feature steep steps and often lean over after hundreds of years of load.
Dutch houses feature distinctive gables which can be viewed at rooftop height and there are some subtle differences between houses in different areas - some featuring balconies for instance.
Look out for the hook and pulley on the top floor - large items are often winched up and enter via a window if they cannot fit through the door!

Central Station

Central Station was completed in 1889 by Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers, who also built the Rijksmuseum. An awesome sight to behold, the huge structure is built on nearly 9,000 pilings drive into the mud which form the foundations of the building and keep it stable. The station marks the boundary between the water of the IJ, and the sprawling canals and city.

Oude Kerk

The Oude Kerk has a colorful and somewhat uncertain history. Reckoned to originate from the early 13th century when it was a wooden church, the building has been rebuilt, renovated and added to over the years.

Rebuilt as a gothic building in the 14th century, the church was even ravaged by fire in the 16th century.

All of the changes have resulted in a now beautiful building with not only
gothic features, but also medieval and Dutch Renaissance elements.