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Historic centre of Amsterdam

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.

Netherlands (Europe and North America)
Date of Submission: 26/09/1995
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
Category: Cultural
Submitted by: Netherlands Department for Conservation
Coordinates: Province of Noord-Holland Coord. 120000-124000 / 485500- 489000 (+)
Ref.: 469

Description

The historic centre of Amsterdam consists of two sections: the heart, which dates back to the late Middle Ages, and the 17th century ring of canals. It stretches from the waters of the IJ to the current Singel canal. The medieval city (populated since the 13th century; city rights late L3th century) was built on both sides of the River Amstel which flows into the LI. It includes the area around the mouth of the Amstel (now Damrak, Dam (a dam built in the Amstel around the year 1270) and Rokin, and parallel to that, the Oude Zijds Voorburgwal and the Nieuwe Zijds Voorburgwal built somewhat later. The concentric, half-moon shaped ring of canals includes the Herengracht, the Prinsengracht and the later Plantage built along the eastern side. The Jordan quarter was built in the 17th century on the western side. The contours of the current Singel canal mark the location of the 17th century starshaped circumvallation. The city was expanded in the 14th century by acquiring land along the river and on the land side, intersected by the Oudezijds Voorburgwal and the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and provided with new ramparts, i.e., the Oudezijds Achterburgwal and the Nieuwezijds Achterburgwal (now Spuistraat). The city was expanded again after 1425 (up to Geldersekade, Kloveniersburgwal, Singel). Fortification by means of a city wall of stone (1488) with St. Anthonispoort (1488) and Schreierstoren (ca. 1485). Another expansion during early 16th century (1515). Late 16th century (after 1585) new defence works were built (earth rampart with bastions) from Haarlemmerdijk up to the Amstel, behind which the city was expanded, bordered by a part of the current Herengracht, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Rembrandtsplein, Amstelstraat, Nieuwe Amstelstraat and Rapenburgerstraat; the Lastage district (including wharves) was incorporated into the city; the water between the islands of Uilenburg, Valkenburg and Rapenburg and the mainland was filled. The medieval city wall was torn down after 1601 because of the rapid development of Amsterdam into the most important city of Holland and of the Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden (Republic of the Seven Unitod Low Countries). It became a trade metropolis, a city of trade and traffic, with international connections (Scandinavia, Russia, England, France, Spain) and interests over the whole world as it was then known (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), (United East India Company), established 1602; Westindische Compagnie (WIC), (West India Company), established 1621), and thus became the most powerful trading centre of North Europe for some time. The city had a population of 50,000 around the year 1600, but grew to 100,000 around 1625 and approximately 139,000 around 1640. In 1609 the Staten van Holland (States of Holland) gave permission to expropriate over 3,000 houses, situated outside the city circumvallation. for further city expansion. Plans to develop the area situated between newly built fortifications and the old city - from the harbour district to the west up to the Heiligoweg - were implemented in 1613. They affected three areas: western harbour district with three man made islands (ca. 1610); first part of the ring of canals (two new ramparts, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht (1614), and the Lijnbaansgracht respectively) outside the Herengracht excavated in 1585; the Jordaan (quarter between Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, Passoerdersgracht and Lijnbaansgracht) with its systematically laid out side-streets and small canals. In 1655 land was grantod on the new islands to the east for building wharves. 'sLandszeemagazijn [National Maritime Warehouse] (Daniel Stalpaert, 1656) was built on Kattenburg. Further population growth and expanding harbour activities necessitated the next city expansion. Approximately 166O, plans for a new fortification plan and further urban development of the area between the Heiligoweg and the IJ. 1662, plan approved (design: Cornelis II Danckerts de Rij, who plottod streets and canals together with city architect Daniël Stalpacrt and engineer Coeck); 1663-1668, land grants along Herengracht. Late 17th century building in the area on the other side of the Amstel came to a halt, however charitable institutes were established there. In 1682 the city council decided to turn the remaining area into a Plantage, a promenade and recreation area. The ramparts and bastions were demolished mid-19th century. Next plans for expanding Amsterdam outside the Singel canal are dated 1867. Canals filled in (including Nieuwezijds Achterburgwal, 1867; Nieuwe Zijdsvoorburgwal, 1884; Rozongracht, 1895). The city had an open view of the IJ until the Central Station was built (1870-1889). A central axis was developed in the 19th century from the Central Station, to Damrak, Rokin (filled in 1937), Vijzelstraat (widened 1914-1927), along which a number of large buildings were built (including the Beurs (Exchange/Bourse) designed by architect H.P. Berlage, 1898-1903). Description of Urban development: - The medieval structure of Amsterdam was determined mainly by the pattern of earlier peat cultivation (parcels, ditches, dikes, roads); - 17th century ring of canals, linear, radial and concentric plan - no relation with the earlier polder structure - with strict measurements (parcel size 30 feet, depth 90 feet). Representative houses along the canals belonging to, e.g., aristocratic merchants (Herengracht, eastern side), for the upper classes, and warehouses; modest houses with shops and small businesses in the side-streets. The block-patterned spacial structure of the Jordaan is typified by following the earlier polder structure; with small building blocks (average lot size 20 fect; depth 50 to 60 fect and approximately 100 fect near the canals); - On the six man-made islands in the IJ, on the eastern and western sides: wharves and warehouses, houses for labourers and shipbuilders . VO C- buildings on O ostenburg; - Near the Zuiderkerk (1603, architect Hendrick de Keyser), a concentration of Spanish, Portuguese, German-Polish Jews (Portuguese Synagogue, 1671-1675, architect Elias Bouman; German Synagogue late 17th century, 18th century). 211 houses along the southern border of what is termed 'Noortse Bosch', designed by Philips Vingboons (1607-1678), mainly occupied by Huguenots; - Charities east of the River Amstel (Luthern Diaconiehuis (house for church social welfare work) (1769-1772), design Coenraet Hoeneker), homes for elderly people ((Diaconie old women's home (Amstelhof), 1681-1683); orphanages, almshouses (Corvershof, 1723); Van Brant's Rushofie, 1733, architect Daniël Marot), and such; - Open spaces for markets: Nieuwmarkt (Oostermarkt) (1612), Herenmarkt, Noordermarkt or Prinsenmarkt, Westermarkt or Keizersmarkt (after 1613), after 1663 Koningsplein and Reguliersplein (Botermarkt).