Amsterdam Canals: Making Amsterdam The Venice Of The North

Amsterdam is home to almost 62 miles of canals, 90 islands, and 1,500 bridges. The Grachtengordel is formed by the three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, which were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age. There are 1550 historic buildings along the main waterways. The Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Jordaan canal ring region, which includes the canals in their respective names were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, adding to Amsterdam's reputation as the 'Venice of the North.'

History Of Amsterdam Canals

The first Amsterdam canal was constructed for water management and defense. As the city grew in the Middle Ages, successive defense moats were built inside the city walls and lost their purpose. They did, however, acquire a significant new one: local merchandise transportation.

During Amsterdam's Golden Age in the 17th century, trade boomed. The city's three main canals were dug and buildings erected around them in one massive expansion project that spanned 50 years.

In the 20th century, Amsterdam needed additional space for cars and other land traffic. Many waterways were drained to make way for streets and parking lots. Not without a fight: in 1901, the iconic Reguliersgracht Seven Bridges were saved by a ferocious outcry. Almost half of Amsterdam's original water has been lost to landfills, although navigable rivers still cover 25% of the city's surface. With 65 miles of ancient canals, Amsterdam still holds the honor of being the most watery city in the world.

Who Built The Amsterdam Canals?

A body of Lords, heren regeerders, were responsible for governing Amsterdam in the 16th and 17th centuries. These were the city's rich long-term citizens who oversaw various areas of the city's operations. They put a lot of money into the canals' construction. Herengracht, the first of these waterways, is named for these reagents.

Water Of Amsterdam Canals

The water in the canals was stagnant and unclean until the mid-nineteenth century, full of debris, dead fish, and feces. To address this, the Gemaal Zeeburg steam-powered pump station was built in 1879 to flush the canals with water from the Zuiderzee. In 1935, the inner city was connected to the sewer system for the first time. However, the Grachtengordel was not connected directly until 1987. Houses had been dumping wastewater into the canal up until this point. In recent years, additional efforts to improve water quality have included legislation forbidding houseboats from dumping wastewater into canals.