Discover the fascinating & rich history of the country of Holland, also known as The Netherlands.

Amsterdam canal houses and the Amstel river
History of Amsterdam
In the 17th century Amsterdam was Europe's wealthiest trading city.
More information about this photo: Amsterdam canal houses along the AmstelAmsterdam canal houses along the Amstel

 







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History of Amsterdam

   

Amsterdam Short Information Sheet:

The earliest recorded use of the name "Amsterdam" is from a certificate dated 27 October 1275, when the "homines manentes apud Amestelledamme" (people living near Amestelledamme), who had built a bridge with a dam across the Amstel, were exempted from paying a bridge toll by Count Floris V. Amsterdam was granted city rights about the year 1300.


Amsterdam Information Cloud:

Dam Amsterdam, Amsterdam Centraal Holland, Delft, Palace on the Dam


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A small history of Amsterdam

At the junction of the IJ and the Amstel, Gysbrecht II constructed a dam, on which he built his castle. From this "Amstel Dam" the city derives her name.

Amsterdam Central Station

The main Railway Station in Amsterdam.

The Dam (De Dam) in Amsterdam

The central square in Amsterdam.

The Dam Royal Palace (Paleis op de Dam) in Amsterdam

Situated on the Dam Square in the centre of Amsterdam.

The old Orphanage Gate in Amsterdam

The old Orphanage Gate in Amsterdam, entrance to the former orphanage.

Old Church (Oude Kerk), Amsterdam

The church dates 1306 and is situated on the Oude Zijds Voorburgwal canal in "de Wallen" area, Amsterdam's red-light district.

Beguines' court (Begijnenhof), Amsterdam

Near the Spui at the end of the Kalverstraat is a little turning on the west leading into the Begijnenhof (Beguines' Court).

Westerkerk (Western Church), Amsterdam

Close to the Jordaan area in Amsterdam is the Westerkerk, a church dating from 1620.

Gable stone on the house of Admiral Michiel de Ruyter in Amsterdam

A Dutch gable stone on the old house of 17th century naval hero Admiral Michiel de Ruyter in Amsterdam.

The Rembrandt House

The house in which Rembrandt spend the happiest and most succesful years of his life from 1639 to 1659. Today it is open to the public as a museum.

The Song Text of Tulips in Amsterdam

The text of the great Dutch song "Tulpen uit Amsterdam", "Tulips from Amsterdam".

The Amsterdam Banking Crisis of 1763

An old Dutch etching depicting the Amsterdam banking and loan crisis of the year 1763. More than 30 banks and trade houses went bankrupt.




Holland, country & city | Holland History | Amsterdam History