Without a doubt, they are one of the most distinctive features and that best define the city. An intricate network of water channels that make up the very essence of Amsterdam, that organize its architecture and urban planning, and that are also responsible for the rhythm of daily life.
In this blog we already took a walk through the canals of Amsterdam a while ago. Now we are going to talk to you about them again, since this year the 400th anniversary of their creation is commemorated and the city celebrates it in style. If you are thinking of traveling to Amsterdam, you can participate in some of the activities, especially exhibitions, that have been organized for the occasion. We tell you the most important ones.
Life marked by the channels
The center of Amsterdam is deeply marked by the existence of the canal ring, formed by the four most important waterways in the city: Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. Such is their beauty and that of the houses that flank them that they were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010.
The first canals were built to fulfill a defensive function, and also to manage water. However, when the city grew and the canals remained within it, they began to be used for the transport of goods , its decisive function.
The project to expand the canal network began in 1613 and when it was completed, around 1663, Amsterdam had one of the best navigable canal networks in the world. In the 18th century the city experienced a true commercial and cultural boom. A Golden Age that has been reflected in the architecture of the houses located on the edge of the canals.
In homage to the aquatic labyrinth
The city is turning this year in the commemoration of the anniversary of the canals and, especially, the museums of the city organize exhibitions that are worth visiting. For example, at the Rembrandt House Museum you will be able to see the exhibition Along the canals of Amsterdam until the end of May, a complete selection of views of the city from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
At the Van Loon Museum you can see The Ideal Channel , which compiles the designs of Adriaan Dortsman, architect of the Golden Age. Another interesting exhibition is the one jointly organized by several museums that are next to the canals: Life in the Canal District: Real Life Stories .