Centuries ago fishermen settled along the Amstel River. They built a bridge that acted as a protective dam. This is where Amsterdam got its start. We are standing at the Oostersingelbrug.
Amsterdam’s history stretches back to around 1000 CE. Inhabitants settled at the mouth of the Amstel. They began peatland reclamation. The Oostersingelbrug stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s ingenuity.
In 1275 Amsterdam was granted a toll privilege. Count Floris V exempted it from a bridge toll. This made Amsterdam popular for international traders. They could sell goods at lower prices. The Oostersingelbrug would have been bustling with commerce.
Amsterdam developed into a major trading city during the Middle Ages. The 17th century was a Golden Age. Amsterdam was the most important trading hub in Europe. It was also the leading financial center of the western world. Imagine the Oostersingelbrug during this era. It would be crowded with merchants and goods from all over the world.
Amsterdam is colloquially called the Venice of the North. This is because of its numerous canals. The Oostersingelbrug and other bridges connect these canals. They create a unique urban landscape.
Amsterdam has more canals than Venice and Paris. In 2022, the city had 165 canals. They had a combined length of 75 km. Over 1200 bridges connect the canals. These divide the city into small islands. The Oostersingelbrug contributes to this intricate network.
The city is built on poles. Amsterdam is built on eleven million poles. The train station of Amsterdam Centraal needed 9000 poles. A normal house needs only 10. The Oostersingelbrug also relies on a strong foundation.
Amsterdam has officially been the capital of The Netherlands since 1983. Before that everyone saw Amsterdam as the capital. But it wasn’t officially stated in the constitution. The Oostersingelbrug has always been part of the capital city.
The Red-Light District is well known for its red lights. There are also blue lights. When the lights are blue there is a transgender woman in the room. The Oostersingelbrug offers a different kind of illumination.
Amsterdam is known for religious and ethnic tolerance. It welcomed people from all over the world. This made Amsterdam a hotspot for Armenians. The Oostersingelbrug stands as a symbol of this welcoming spirit.
The city suffered from an outbreak of bubonic plague from 1663 to 1666. People thought the plague was caused by digging new canals. Tobacco smoke was considered an effective prophylactic against the plague. The Oostersingelbrug remained standing.
The Oostersingelbrug, like Amsterdam itself has seen its ups and downs. It connects not just land but also the past and the present. As you cross the Oostersingelbrug, remember the stories it has silently witnessed.