Amsterdam is a city known for its many bridges. The Rietvinkbrug is one of over 1700 bridges in Amsterdam. These bridges connect the 165 canals that criss-cross the city.
Amsterdam’s canals weren’t originally designed for tourism. In the 17th century, they were built for transporting food and goods. The four main canals are Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. In 2010, these canals became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look at a map and you will see the canals form a horseshoe shape.
Many people call Amsterdam the Venice of the North. Water covers 35% of Amsterdam’s surface. That is why it is nicknamed the City of Water. The canals were dug to drain the waterlogged land. This clever idea allowed the Dutch to build on drier land. They then used the canals for transport.
Amsterdam is built on marshy land. Imagine Shrek’s swamp. The Dutch built dikes to protect the city from the sea. There is a saying: God created the world but the Dutch created the Netherlands. Most of the country was built using clever methods.
Houseboats are a common sight on Amsterdam’s canals. They were first used in the 17th century by traders. After World War Two, there was a housing shortage. Houseboats became a new way of life. Today, over 2500 houseboats float on Amsterdam’s canals.
Swimming in the canals is officially not allowed. Boats constantly pass through. However, Amsterdam holds an annual event called the Amsterdam City Swim. This event raises money for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis research. Thousands of people cheer on the swimmers.
Many bikes end up in the canals. Around 15000 bikes are pulled out each year. Some fall in by accident but some are due to vandalism. Amsterdam has boats called bike fishermen. These boats have a large claw to sweep the waterways.
The canals have greatly impacted the Dutch economy. They have created about 50000 jobs. The canals generate over 2 billion euros in revenue each year. This comes from canal cruises, bars, restaurants, and water taxis.
Sometimes the canals freeze in winter. Parts of the canals are then closed for ice skating. This doesn’t happen every year. But locals enjoy this rare winter magic when it does.
King’s Day is a huge event in the Netherlands. It is celebrated on April 27th. The Amsterdam canals become a sea of orange. People party on boats to celebrate the King’s birthday.
Amsterdam has more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris. The bridges connect the 90 small islands that form the city. The three main canals are Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht. These canals date back to the Dutch Golden Age.
So, as you stand here at the Rietvinkbrug, remember the rich history. Think of the canals. Think of how they have shaped Amsterdam into the city we know today.