Amstelland is the area around the river Amstel, originated at the small fishing village in the south of Amsterdam in the 13th century.
The dam city at the Amstel is currently Amsterdam. The city named after the river Amstel, it was called Amstelredamme. The country has many names such as The Netherlands, Holland and people from the Netherlands are called Dutch. The city center of modern Amsterdam is located on Dam Square:
The Christmas tree is placed in front of the Royal palace and De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church).This protestant church is combined with a souvenir, coffee shop and exhibition space. It is used for the royal ceremonies. The most interesting shopping mall in the city center of Amsterdam, Magna Plaza:
It was the headquarter of the post office. Many tourist attractions are on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal street.
The three main canals (grachten) dug in the 17th during the Dutch golden age. The name of the main canals are very interesting, Herengracht = Gentlemen's Canal, Keizersgracht = Emperor's Canal and Prinsengracht = Prince's Canal:
Between the skinny bridge, the fourth canal layer is Prinsengracht. The other side of the bridge is Kaisergracht. Herengracht is at the end of the bridge Blauwbrug on the river Amstel.
The historical bridge at the Amstel river is the skinny bridge or Magere Brug. It was a white wooden bridge with 13 arches, built in 1691. It was rebuilt to be a modern bridge with 9 arches remaining the similar design. The water gate is now automatic opening. In the old time, dutch fishermen lived in boathouses along Amstel (view near the skinny bridge, the royal theatre carre is on the left) :
As the population increased radically after the canals are completed. The narrow houses are built along the canals:
Some dutch people still live on the boathouses or they own a boathouse and a house along the canal as well. At the top part of a house has a hoist to lift goods to the ship:
It is common that the church is at the center of a city or a community. The churches in Amsterdam are somehow unusual. The Western church and the Northern church, One is for rich merchants, the other is for the ordinary folks who do not wear parfume:
The West church (Westerkerk) is located on the Prinsengracht canal. The church tower of protestant church is also a tourist attraction to climb up to see top view of the city. It is told that Rembrandt is buried there.
Somewhere at Prinsengracht street, there is a secret old tunnel from a cafe papeneiland for the catholics to flee the city in case of troubles. There is also a hidden church (or more)called the post horn that is also a tourist attraction.
Most streets along the canals have the same name of its canals on both sides. A view on the Oudekennissteeg shows the bridge with 3 arches is Korte Niezel on the same street name on both sides, oudezijds voorburgwal:
You can see the reflection of the bridge on the canal oudezijds kolk. The catholic church of Saint Nicholas is at the background. On the left side is De Oude Kerk (Old Church). Although they may be religious, they love entertainment and variety of lifestyle. There are many churches in the red light district (De Wallen):
In the erotic museum, you can see some sketches of John Lennon. The Oude Church (Old Church) is the oldest building in the city, located on the next building behind the erotic museum. This area is like a labyrinth city, when someone says" get lost!", it seriously means that once you see someone enters the cannabis coffee shop at night in the red light district, you may not see that person coming out soon:
Get up! in the early morning if you could, the world changed, people are gone. It turned to be a calm city!:
Walk Along one of the canals of amsterdam, singel, a lot of floating ships selling flowers called "floating flower market" in Bloemenmarkt:
The flower pots are mini wooden shoes, especially tulips:
Walking towards Amstel river, cross the river to street or canal called Kloveniersburgwal. At the end, you will see the remaining part of city walls. It was the city gate of Saint Anthony(Sint Antoniespoort):
On the other side is the Geldersekade canal. The Kloveniersburgwal, The Geldersekade and the Singel formed the moat to protect the medieval city. Before the Kloveniersburgwal canal was dug in the 15th, Amstel river flows on the edge of the medieval city. East of dam is the center of Amsterdam. Nowaways, it is used as De Waag (Weigh house), located at Niewmarkt (New market), built in 1488.
This area is usually a very crowded area, full of tourists and local people. However, the flower market in the morning after Christmas Eve looked calm as if not many people go there.
Dam Dam!
