“Did you hear about the street that changed its name, not by choice, but by force?” That’s the story of the Da Costagracht. I will tell you more about the Da Costagracht now.
The Da Costagracht is a canal in Amsterdam West. It links the Hugo de Grootgracht to the Jacob van Lennepkanaal. Houses line the Da Costakade beside the canal. Houseboats bob gently on the water. The Da Costagracht was dug in 1878. It was part of the new Da Costabuurt in the Kinkerbuurt.
Four bridges span the Da Costagracht. They are the De Clercqstraat bridge 108, Potgieterstraat bridge 138 and Kinkerstraat bridge 183. The last is the Jacob van Lennepstraat bridge 180.
The canal bears the name of Isaäc da Costa. He was a 19th-century poet and writer. Nearby, you’ll find the Da Costastraat and the Da Costaplein. But here’s a little-known fact. In 1942, the German occupiers forced a name change. Streets named after Jewish people or the Dutch royal family had to be renamed. The Da Costagracht became the Gouverneurskade. The Da Costaplein was renamed Koetsveldplein. The Da Costastraat became Tienhovenstraat. After the war in 1945, the original names were restored.
Today, the Da Costakade is home to some notable places. De Nieuwe Liefde is a center at Da Costakade 102. The Tetterode complex is at 148 to 160. Also located here is the Da Costa bathhouse at number 200.
The Da Costastraat runs parallel to the Da Costagracht. It is located east between the De Clercqstraat and Jacob van Lennepkanaal. The Da Costaplein is where the Da Costastraat crosses the Allard Piersonstraat.
Many forms of public transport serve the Da Costagracht. The Bilderdijkstraat tram stop is a three-minute walk away. The De Clercqstraat tram stop is four minutes away. Rozengracht bus stop is also four minutes away.
So next time you pass by. Remember the Da Costagracht. Remember its history. Remember its temporary new name. It is a reminder of a dark time.