Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leidsegracht
For dream canal houses in
pristine condition, look no
further than sophisticated
Leidsegracht, one of the city's
most sought-after addresses. At
Herengracht 394, on the corner
with Leidsegracht, notice the
fine wall plaque depicting
characters from a medieval
legend - the four Heemskinderen
on their horse Beyaart. Another
plaque, at No. 39, shows
Cornelis Lely, who drew up the
original plans for draining the
Zuiderzee. d Map K6
Felix Meritis Building
Felix Meritis Building
The splendid Neo-Classical
façade of this building comes as
a surprise on gabled Keizers-
gracht. Designed in 1787 by
Jacob Otten Husly as a science
and arts centre (the name Felix
Meritis means "happiness
through merit"), it flourished until
the late 19th century. Later, it
became headquarters of the
Dutch Communist Party (CPN),
and in the 1970s was home to
the avant-garde Shaffy Theatre
Company. Today, it houses the
European Centre for Arts and
Sciences - its arts complex and
Summer University courses mean
it is always humming. d Keizers-
gracht 324 Map L4 020 623 1311
Negen Straatjes
Nestling in the centre of the
canal ring are these three parallel
rows of cross-streets bordered by
Singel and Prinsengracht to east
and west, and Raadhuisstraat and
Leidsegracht to north and south.
Known collectively as the Nine
Streets, these charming, largely
car-free roads were once a centre
for the leather trade. Today they
are packed with amusing, imagin-
ative and sometimes eccentric
shops like De Witte Tandenwinkel,
devoted to toothbrushes (see
p104) . In Gasthuismolensteeg,
don't miss the Brilmuseum at No.
7, an enchanting museum and
shop devoted to spectacles old
and new (open noon-5pm
Wed-Sat). d Map L4
Looier Kunst en
Antiekcentrum
If the smart shops of the
Spiegelkwartier (see p112) are
too expensive and rarified, try
searching for more affordable
antiques - everything from
vintage toys to glass, lace and
Delftware - in this warren of
stalls occupying a vast network
of ground-floor rooms in a block
of houses near the Looiersgracht
(tanners' canal). Taken together,
this is the largest collection of
art and antiques in the Nether-
lands. The stall-holders have a
lively community spirit, hosting
bridge sessions which are open
to all. d Elandsgracht 109 Map J5
Open 11am-5pm Sat-Thu
Houseboats
Around 2,500 houseboats are
called ”home” in Amsterdam, but
it was only after World War II,
when there was a severe housing
shortage, that they become
popular. Though linked to the
electricity and water supplies, they
use the canals (which are flushed
out nightly) for sewage disposal.
Visit the Woonbootmuseum
(Houseboat Museum) opposite
Prinsengracht 296 to find out more.
100
 
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