Amsterdam’s medieval city center has two parts — and old side, and a new side.
Interestingly, the New Side is actually slightly older than the Old Side.
The Old Side (Oude Zijde) includes the city’s world famous Red Light District.
Amsterdam’s medieval core is divided in an ‘Old Side’ and a ‘New Side.’ We’ll show you which is which, and tell you how these terms came into use. And yes, the Old Side is actually slightly newer than the New Side.
Included in this entry: the oldest known city map of Amsterdam, painted in 1538.
The Oudezijds Kolk is a narrow sluice that runs from the Oosterdok — the water to the north of Prins Hendrikkade — to the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, in one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam.
While even many Amsterdam locals don’t know what ‘Oudezijds Kolk’ actually means, understanding the name of this narrow canal will give you more insight into the life and history of old Amsterdam.
In the past sketches and paintings of this bridge were used to draw provincials to Amsterdam.
To-date this is still one of the city’s most photographed and painted views.
The construction of the Zeedijk (sea dike) at the beginning of the 13th century meant that Amsterdam — which at that time was called Aemstelledam — was no longer subjected to regular flooding.
Through the centuries the street has seen many highs and lows, but currently it is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The City of Amsterdam intends to withdraw business licenses of an Israeli family often referred to as the ‘Kosher Mafia.’
Amsterdam has an abundance of outdoor art, including this sculpture…
The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel — Amsterdam’s favorite hostel, right smack-dab in the middle of, well, downtown Amsterdam.