Lichtbakkeet

What a view. From the Lichtbakkeet you can see Amsterdam’s canals. They stretch for over 100 kilometers. Imagine. Amsterdam wasn’t always so beautiful. In the 13th century it was a small fishing village. It was behind a dyke protecting it from the Amstel River. They called it Amstelredam. The dam in the Amstel River. This humble beginning transformed into the vibrant city before us. Amsterdam is built on eleven million poles. The city is below sea level. The Centraal Station alone needs 9000 poles for support. A normal house only needs 10. These wooden poles are 15-20 meters long. They are placed in a sandy layer 11 meters deep. This ingenious system supports a city teeming with life. The Lichtbakkeet offers a unique perspective. You see the narrow houses. They are so narrow because of old taxes. Taxes were based on the facade width. People built long and high houses to save money. The narrow facades are a testament to this clever approach. From this viewpoint you can see how Amsterdam is a city of canals and bridges. It has more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris. Over 10000 bikes are thrown or disappear in Amsterdam’s canals every year. Only some get retrieved. Each year 14 million tourists visit. 4.5 million are Dutch. Over 9.5 million are foreigners. It’s a city of over 821000 inhabitants. Over 1 million bicycles. 100000 are stolen annually. The Lichtbakkeet provides a stunning panorama of this unique city. It’s a captivating blend of history innovation and beauty. The Lichtbakkeet is a fitting spot to reflect on Amsterdam’s incredible journey. A journey from a small fishing village to a world-famous city. The Lichtbakkeet allows us to appreciate Amsterdam’s spirit. It’s a city that embraces its past while forging its future. A future that will likely continue to draw millions. Millions of visitors each year.