Floating on the water it stands. This is the Rammelaarsbrug. Amsterdam has more canals than Venice. It has more bridges than Paris. The Rammelaarsbrug is one of over 1200 bridges in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is called the Venice of the North. Its many canals create small islands. These islands are connected by bridges like the Rammelaarsbrug. Amsterdam has 165 canals. They total 75 kilometers.
Amsterdam began as a small fishing village around 1000 CE. People settled at the mouth of the Amstel River. After a flood in 1170, a dam was built in the Amstel. This protected the land from floods.
In 1275, Amsterdam was granted a toll privilege. This made it popular for international traders. They could sell goods at lower prices. Amsterdam grew into a major trading city. The 17th century was its Golden Age. Amsterdam became a leading financial center.
The city is built on many poles. About eleven million poles support Amsterdam. The train station alone needs 9000 poles. A normal house needs only 10 poles. These wooden poles are 15-20 meters long. They are placed in a sandy layer about 11 meters deep.
Amsterdam is below sea level. About 40% of Amsterdam is below sea level today. Land reclamation started in the 17th century. Dikes protect reclaimed land. Windmills helped to pump water out.
Amsterdam’s canals were important for trade. The three main canals are Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht. They were created in the 17th century. Over 1550 monumental buildings line these canals.
Many people bike in Amsterdam. The city has over 400 kilometers of cycle paths. About 63% of Amsterdammers use their bikes daily. But 25000 bikes disappear into the canals each year.
Amsterdam is diverse. It has over 170 nationalities. The city welcomes people from different backgrounds. Its multicultural atmosphere comes from global connections. Many international organizations are here.
The motto under Amsterdam’s sign is heroic, determined, and merciful. The sign has three crosses. One explanation is that they stand for St. Andrew. He was tortured on a cross in the shape of an X.
Amsterdam has many museums. It has the highest concentration of museums per square meter of all cities. Schiphol Airport is the only airport with a museum.
Amsterdam is known as Mokum. This comes from the Hebrew word makan. It means city. The widest house in Amsterdam is 22 meters wide. It is at Kloveniersburgwal 29.
The monument on Dam Square was renovated by the Germans after the war. Cuttings of the Anne Frank tree have been sent to many cities. These include The Hague and New York.
Amsterdam has a great public transportation network. Over 747000 people use it every day. Tram number 5 is the busiest tram line. You can find swarms of parakeets in the Vondelpark. They are not native to The Netherlands. They escaped and liked Amsterdam.
So as you cross the Rammelaarsbrug, remember its role. It connects not just land. It connects history and culture. It links the Amsterdam of the past to the Amsterdam of today.