Canal Herengracht

Here we are along the Herengracht canal, one of the most beautiful in the city. And for good reason—as every house along its banks once belonged to wealthy families. They were designed by architects during a period of economic growth due to the country’s thriving trade, known as the Dutch Golden Age (17-18th century). Here, you’ll find many elements of traditional Dutch architecture: most homes here are built on wooden pilings, sometimes leaning slightly to one side or the other, with decorated and colorful gables, and elevated entrances. In this neighborhood, these homes stood as proof of their owners’ great wealth. You should also know that, at the time, in Amsterdam, the narrower the house, the lower the property tax! That might explain why the world’s narrowest house can be found in this city… though not in this posh neighborhood, as you can probably guess!