AMSTERDAM NETHERLANDS THE PRINSENGRACHT CANAL WITH HOUSEBOATS AND THE WESTERKERK TOWER
Image details
Contributor:
JOHN BRACEGIRDLE / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
DKPGAXFile size:
51.2 MB (3.3 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5184 x 3455 px | 43.9 x 29.3 cm | 17.3 x 11.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
15 November 2013Location:
AMSTERDAM HOLLANDMore information:
The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious city planning. In the early 17th century, when immigration was at a peak, a comprehensive plan was developed that was based on four concentric half-circles of canals with their ends emerging at the IJ bay. Known as the Grachtengordel, three of the canals were mostly for residential development: the Herengracht (where "Heren" refers to Heren Regeerders van de stad Amsterdam (ruling lords of Amsterdam), and gracht means canal, so the name can be roughly translated as "Canal of the lords"), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal). The fourth and outermost canal is the Singelgracht, which is often not mentioned on maps, because it is a collective name for all canals in the outer ring. The Singelgracht should not be confused with the oldest and most inner canal Singel. The canals served for defence, water management and transport. The defences took the form of a moat and earthen dikes, with gates at transit points, but otherwise no masonry superstructures. The original plans have been lost, so historians, such as Ed Taverne, need to speculate on the original intentions: it is thought that the considerations of the layout were purely practical and defensive rather than ornamental.