Amsterdam stands as one of the most culturally rich cities in Europe. You likely picture the scenic canals and bicycles, but the engineering beneath the streets is the real marvel. Surprisingly, the entire city rests on millions of wooden poles to prevent it from sinking into the swampy soil. Furthermore, the local culture balances strict history with modern freedom. Consequently, it offers a unique atmosphere found nowhere else on the continent. Finally, let’s explore the capital of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam
The entire city of Amsterdam sits on roughly 11 million wooden poles. Because the soil consists of thick clay and peat, builders drove these massive piles deep into the ground to create a stable foundation.
Residents own more bicycles than there are people in the city. Specifically, the population of 821,000 people owns an estimated 881,000 bikes, which often leads to massive traffic jams on the cycle paths.
Surprisingly, you can find the only floating cat sanctuary in the world here. The De Poezenboot is a refuge for stray cats located on a houseboat in the Singel canal.
The symbol of the city consists of three black crosses arranged vertically. Historically, many believe these St. Andrew’s Crosses represent the three dangers of the city: water, fire, and the plague.
Amsterdam possesses more canals than Venice and more bridges than Paris. In fact, the city features over 100 miles [160 kilometers] of canals and approximately 1,200 bridges connecting the islands.
The famous narrow houses often lean forward towards the street. Architects designed them this way intentionally so residents could hoist furniture up to the windows using a hook without hitting the facade.
Confusingly, a “Coffeeshop” sells cannabis, while a “Koffiehuis” sells actual coffee. Therefore, tourists must pay close attention to the signage to ensure they enter the correct establishment.
The city is home to the oldest stock exchange in the world. The Dutch East India Company established the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in 1602 to trade shares and bonds.
Locals fish thousands of bicycles out of the canals every single year. Reportedly, the municipality uses a specialized claw crane boat to remove between 12,000 and 15,000 rusty bikes annually.
The Rijksmuseum is the only museum in the world that has a road cycling through it. Consequently, pedestrians and cyclists can pass directly through the center of the building via a public tunnel.
Most of the city lies below sea level, with the lowest point sitting 22 feet [6.7 meters] under the surface. Thus, an advanced system of dikes and pumps operates constantly to keep the streets dry.
Amsterdam features a house that is only 6 feet 6 inches [2 meters] wide. The owners of the Singel 7 house built it this way because the city once taxed residents based on the width of their facade.
Approximately 2,500 families live permanently on houseboats within the canals. Furthermore, these floating homes connect directly to the city sewer and electrical systems just like normal apartments.
The Red Light District, known as De Wallen, is one of the oldest and safest areas of the city. Surprisingly, it dates back to the 14th century and operates under strict police surveillance and regulations.
Dancing houses describes the buildings that have sunk unevenly into the mud. Consequently, they tilt sideways and lean against each other for support, creating a crooked skyline.
