Ever wonder how Amsterdam balances progress with the preservation of its historical charm? Right here, at Raaksbrug Zuid, we see a perfect example of this delicate dance. The story of Amsterdam is closely connected with water. In the 13th century, Amsterdam started as a small fishing village. It was located behind a dike that protected them from the Amstel river. Amsterdam was named Amstelredam. This name referred to the dam in the Amstel river.
Amsterdam is a city built on poles. It is a city placed about a meter below sea level. Amsterdam is built on eleven million poles. These wooden poles are about 15-20 meters long. They are placed in a sandy layer about 11 meters deep.
The origins of Zuidas are all about accessibility. Just as in the past, the Canal Belt developed on the River IJ because it was the most accessible place. Zuidas came about because of its location between Schiphol and the city center. The history of Zuidas shows how Amsterdam has evolved. It has transformed from a fishing village to a modern metropolis.
Consider the Raaksbrug Zuid as more than just a way to cross water. Consider it as a thread in the rich fabric of Amsterdam. Amsterdam has 165 canals. That is more than 100 kilometers in total. Amsterdam has more canals than Venice. It also has more bridges than Paris. Amsterdam is located on 90 small islands.
The three most important canals are the Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht. These were created in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age. You can find more than 1550 monumental buildings alongside these canals. Amsterdam has more than 7000 monumental buildings. The city of Amsterdam is located on 90 small islands.
Amsterdam has a great public transportation network. More than 747000 people use it every single day. Amsterdam has around 1515 bars and cafes. Amsterdam has more than 40 parks. You can find 38 markets in Amsterdam. These range from flower markets to antique markets.
Amsterdam has 55 theaters and concert halls. You can find around 16000 plays and concerts in Amsterdam yearly. Amsterdam counts around 821000 inhabitants. It also has more than 170 nationalities. Amsterdam also has 165 canals which is in total more than 100 kilometres.
The Southern Axis or ‘Zuidas’ has become a prime location for business. The City of Amsterdam started considering the options for a prime location for business in the 1980s. The preference was for the southern banks of the River IJ. In the early 1990s, studies explored accommodating part of the offices market along the motorway between Schiphol and Amsterdam Zuid-Oost.
The Raaksbrug Zuid stands as a silent witness. It watches Amsterdam balance its rich past with a dynamic future.