The Dawn of a New Era: Pieter Bast’s 1599 Four-Part Map of Amsterdam
The 1599 map of Amsterdam by Pieter Bast represents a monumental leap in the technical and artistic quality of Dutch cartography. Published at the very end of the 16th century, this four-sheet copperplate engraving arrived at a critical turning point for the city. Amsterdam was no longer just a regional trading port; it was rapidly…
The 1544 Masterpiece: Cornelis Anthonisz.’s Colored Woodcut of Amsterdam
While the 1538 painting was a singular treasure, the 1544 woodcut by Cornelis Anthonisz. is the work that truly put Amsterdam on the map—literally. As the first printed map of the city, this twelve-block woodcut allowed for multiple copies to be produced, spreading the image of Amsterdam’s growing importance across Europe. The hand-colored versions of…
The Genesis of Urban Cartography: The 1538 Map of Amsterdam
The 1538 map of Amsterdam holds the prestigious title of the oldest surviving map of the city. Painted in oil on wooden panels by Cornelis Anthonisz., this masterwork predates his more famous 1544 woodcut. While the later woodcut allowed for mass production and wider distribution, this 1538 painting was a singular, high-status object likely commissioned…
The Height of Elegance: The 1737 Gerrit de Broen Map of Amsterdam
The 1737 map by Gerrit de Broen captures Amsterdam at a moment of supreme confidence and architectural maturity. While the earlier 17th-century maps documented a city in the throes of construction, De Broen’s 1737 edition presents the “completed” masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age. This map is technically a refined version of his 1724 original,…
Beyond the City Walls: The 1770 Jan Mol Map of Amsterdam
While many historical maps of Amsterdam focus on the grand architecture of the Canal Belt, the 1770 map by Jan Mol (often associated with the engraver Pieter Mol) offers a refreshingly different perspective. Published during a period of relative stability, this map is less of a formal administrative record and more of a “lifestyle” guide…
Mapping a Masterpiece: The 1782 Gerrit de Broen Plan of Amsterdam
The 1782 map by Gerrit de Broen stands as one of the most definitive visual records of Amsterdam at the end of the 18th century. While earlier maps, like the famous 1544 woodcut by Cornelis Anthonisz., captured the city in its medieval infancy, De Broen’s work presents a metropolis that had reached its “completed” pre-industrial…
The mystery of the “missing” bridge 33 in Amsterdam
Title The Haarlemmerweg and the Haarlemmervaart near Sloterdijk seen from the top floor of the Sloterdijkschool (Dorpstraat B71, from 1938 Velserweg 2) Description With Bridge 33 in the foreground. On the left the entrance to the Sloterdijkermeerweg. Why was it removed? The “death” of Bridge 33 occurred during the late 19th and early 20th centuries,…
The Bridge That Refused to Be Flattened: Brug 74 and the Circle of Reflection
In a city where most historic bridges were brutally “flattened” (verlaagd) at the turn of the 20th century to make way for trams and automobiles, one small crossing refused to conform. Tucked away in the quiet Kerkstraat, where it spans the peaceful Reguliersgracht, Brug 74 stands as it has for over 240 years, its graceful…
Bridge 73 | Amsterdam
Bridge of the Week: Brug 74, the Kerksluis In our series on the Reguliersgracht’s famous seven-bridge alignment, we have so far visited the reconstructed brick arches of Bridges 71, 72, and 73 at the Prinsengracht junction. This week we move to the bridge that, more than any other in the alignment, earns the right to…
Bridge 72 | Amsterdam
Bridge of the Week: Brug 72, Prinsengracht over de Reguliersgracht Last week we introduced De Duifbrug, Brug 71, named for the Catholic church of the dove just steps along the Prinsengracht quay. This week we move to its closest companion: Brug 72, the bridge on the southern (even-numbered) side of the Reguliersgracht where it crosses…
De Duifbrug – Bridge 71 | Amsterdam
Bridge of the Week: De Duifbrug, Brug 71 Welcome to the first instalment of our “Bridge of the Week” feature. Each week we pick one of Amsterdam’s more than 1,200 numbered bridges, slow down, and ask: who built this, what came before it, and what does it tell us about the city? This week we…
7 Best Festive Photo Locations in Amsterdam for December 2025 Holidays
From twinkling lights to charming winter markets, get ready to discover the must-visit spots in Amsterdam for festive photos this December 2025. Introduction Amsterdam’s festive charm is utterly captivating during the holiday season. As winter approaches and the city prepares to transform into a wonderland of dazzling lights, inviting Christmas markets, and often, snow-dusted canals,…
Amsterdam Light Festival Edition 14 (2025-2026): Your Guide to Illuminated Magic!
The crisp air of an Amsterdam winter holds a special kind of magic, and for fourteen incredible years, much of that enchantment has stemmed from one spectacular event: the Amsterdam Light Festival. As the days shorten and the city prepares for the festive season, visitors and locals alike eagerly anticipate the return of this renowned…
Amsterdam Light Festival 2025: Work in Progress
The Amsterdam Light Festival has consistently brought innovative light art to the city with a new theme for each edition. WORK IN PROGRESS The buzz for Amsterdam Light Festival Edition 14 is building! Behind the scenes, international artists are immersed in bringing their groundbreaking light art concepts to life, meticulously selecting prime spots across Amsterdam’s…
Wooden and Metal Drawbridges in Amsterdam
The first bridges in Amsterdam were all made of wood. Amsterdam has a number of drawbridges made of wood. The most famous example of this is the Magere Brug (aka the skinny bridge) over the Amstel. Very close by is a copy of that famous bridge, the the Walter Süskindbrug (237) is a bridge over…