The narrowest house in Amsterdam
The narrowest house
Begin your cruise near Central Station. Along the Singel canal, you can find the narrowest house in the world; the small house on number 7 is only one metre wide. However, appearances are deceiving because this is the back façade. The front of the house is actually 7 metres wide. The reason for this intriguing construction is that in the 17th century, residents were taxed according to the width of the building that faced the canal. Taxes were high, so people tried to find creative ways to circumvent these.
The house with the heads
The house with the heads
Cruise via Brouwersgracht to Keizersgracht. At number 123, you can see the ‘House with the Heads’. This authentic 17th-century building was built in 1622 and derives its name from the stone heads on its gable; according to legend, these were the heads of 6 thieves who tried to break into the house through the basement window. The kitchen maid saw them stick their heads through the window and chopped them off, one by one, with a large butcher’s knife. It was only recently discovered that the heads actually depict 6 Roman gods and goddesses: Apollo, Ceres, Mercury, Minerva, Bacchus and Diana.
The Canal House Museum seen from the water
The ornate gable of the Canal House Museum
Go from Leliegracht to Herengracht. The Canal House Museum (Grachtenhuis) stands at number 386; it was built in 1665 by a wealthy businessman. The ornate gable immediately catches the eye and a significant portion of the interior has been preserved. Many important transactions with Russian aristocrats, French kings and the American upper class have taken place inside this house. The Grachtenhuis is now a museum that tells the history of the 17th-century Amsterdam canals.
Romantic lights in the Gouden Bocht
Gouden Bocht
The Gouden Bocht (Golden Bend) is the most prestigious stretch of Herengracht, between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat. This is the only canal with significantly wider houses where the city’s rich merchants and regents lived, who could easily afford the high gable taxes. Behind these wide gables lie stunning city palaces and valuable art. Pause near Reguliersgracht for one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Amsterdam: the seven bridges. At night, this view is even more spectacular when all the bridges are beautifully illuminated.
The Skinny Bridge
A landmark drawbridge
The 3 main canals of the Canal District flow into the Amstel River. This river flows right through the centre of Amsterdam. Steer the boat towards the Skinny Bridge, a wooden drawbridge from 1934. Also located nearby are Theater Carré and the exclusive Amstel Hotel, which has hosted famous guests such as The Rolling Stones, President Bill Clinton, Madonna and George Clooney. Via Prinsengracht you can cruise back towards Central Station. Look for Café Molenpad at number 653. The café has a patio on the water and waiters will serve boats; this is the perfect spot for a drink or a lazy lunch onboard your boat.
