It was founded for the Beguines, members of a lay Catholic sisterhood. Nowadays there are no Beguines left, but the rules of this private property still only allow single women to live in the houses surrounding the courtyard.
This picturesque spot with its centuries-old houses and two chapels is one of Amsterdam’s favorite tourist sightseeing destinations. However, this has also caused a lot of tension between the Begijnhof and the City of Amsterdam.
The organization that runs the place says the peaceful nature of the private courtyard is compromised by hordes of tourists, some of whom have been loud and intrusive. But the city wants the Begijnhof to remain open to visitors.
Scaffolding advertising has long been controversial, with most people saying they are an eyesore.
In some cases they are a mixed blessing, really, as they sometimes cover up ugly buildings that somehow were allowed to be built.
The photo was taken at Singel canal. The houses shown line the floating flower market.
That’s why these girls are making an impromptu pitstop.
When you view the photo is a larger size you’ll notice how crooked the house at the corner is. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember, but more recently experts have warned that changes in the Dutch climate have lead to lower ground water levels, which in turn causes some historic houses in Amsterdam to subside.
Someone is bound to take the liberty to check that book out.
Picture taken last summer at a canal-side hotel in Amsterdam.
Rederij P. Kooij is one of several popular tour boat companies in Amsterdam, providing trips through the city’s canals.
Kooij is situated in the Rokin, or what’s left of it. This water used to run from the river Amstel to Dam Square. Remember, Amsterdam = Dam in the river Amstel. At the time, the water came up to the buildings at the back of the Kalverstraat (to the left, but not seen in this picture).
Tour guides often claim the name Rokin is a reference to the word ‘rak’ — which means straight canal or straight river.
But that is not how Rokin got its name.
In the 16th century, the houses in the Kalverstraat near Dam square were to be shortened — a procedure at that time referred to, in Dutch, as ‘inrukken’ (krimp or withdraw). The street thus created was at first called Ruck-in, later Rock-in, and most recently Rokin.
In 1936, 2/3 of Rokin — the part between tour company Kooij in this picture and Dam square further north — was filled in.
The yellow contraption in the picture is a piece of equipment used in the building of a new metro subway line — yet another assault on the city by clueless politicians trying to find ever more creative ways to spend taxpayer money while screwing up the city.
The city has 165 canals with a total length of 100 kilometers. This accounts for the fact that Amsterdam is a city of 90 islands — and some 1500 bridges. No wonder Amsterdam is called “The Venice of the North.”
Over the past ten years, the number of pleasure boats coursing through the canals has doubled to 14.000 vessels.
That is why Amsterdam is introducing some new rules for the watery road (as well as highlighting some old ones too few people observe).
Pictured here is Prinsengracht near Noordermarkt. In the distance is a commercial tour boat. The canal is lined by houseboats.
Begijnhof Amsterdam
