Prinsengracht

The Prinsengracht, or Prince’s Canal, is one of the four main canals of Amsterdam, built during the 17th-century expansion known as the Dutch Golden Age. This period of extraordinary economic, cultural, and political prosperity led to the creation of the famous canal belt, or Grachtengordel, which also includes the Singel, Herengracht, and Keizersgracht. The construction of the Prinsengracht began in 1612 as part of a vast urban planning project aimed at expanding the city westward. It was designed not only to facilitate transport and commerce but also to create new residential spaces and improve the city’s defense. Unlike the other canals that tended to host the most luxurious residences and commercial activities of the wealthier classes, the Prinsengracht had a more heterogeneous character, hosting warehouses, merchants’ houses, and residences of less affluent citizens. The historical importance of the Prinsengracht is reflected in the numerous iconic buildings that overlook it. One of the most well-known is the Anne Frank House, where the young Jewish diarist hid from the Nazis during World War II. This building, now transformed into a museum, is visited every year by millions of people, drawn by the powerful testimony of life during the German occupation. Near the Anne Frank House stands the Westerkerk, a 17th-century Protestant church known for its towering bell tower and for being the burial place of the famous painter Rembrandt. The Prinsengracht is also famous for its distinctive architectural features. The houses along the canal, with their narrow and deep facades, reflect the tax laws of the time, which taxed properties based on the width of the facade on the canal. This led to the construction of tall and narrow buildings, with steep stairs and ingenious interior spaces. An emblematic example of this architecture is the narrowest house in Amsterdam, located at number 7 Singel, with a facade of only 1.4 meters. The atmosphere of the Prinsengracht is enriched by the cultural and social activities that take place there. The Noordermarkt, a lively open-air market, offers organic products, antiques, and local crafts, creating a meeting point for residents and tourists. During the summer, the Prinsengracht Concert, a free open-air concert, attracts music enthusiasts from all over the world, transforming the canal into an evocative stage.