Het Grachtenhuis (Museum of the Canals) – Amsterdam
I had a great time visiting the Museum of the Canals. It introduced the history of the canals and canal houses in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) through interactive media. It was fun and impressive. My favorite part was the room with the exhibition of the canal houses, its interior and the residents’ activities. I spent quite long time in the room just to observe each canal house.
From the museum, I also learned there are five interesting facts to know about the canals in Amsterdam. It’s better to know this before exploring the canals of Amsterdam…
The canals in Amsterdam called “grachtengordel” (the belt of canals) with incredible precise planning for each canal: for residential development, for purposes of defense and water management. It was built in the early 17th century to respond the increasing number of immigrants (an interesting interactive display in the museum that explained this!)
There are 165 canals and 1281 bridges with four canals known as major canals: The Singel Canal (the oldest of the major canals); Herengracht Canal (the most elegant canal); Keizersgracht Canal (the widest canal); and Prinsengracht Canal (the longest canal).
There are approximately 3,000 houses along the four major canals, and each of them has its distinctive architecture design. The houses along the canals usually called as Canal Houses. Historically, the city planner of grachtengordel planned that each canal house has a garden (backyard) as designated green area in the city. Until the present day, it is not allowed to build a building on the designated green area.
The average depth of the canals is between two to three meters and known as a place where you can easily fishing for a bike!
I recommend visiting the museum if you are interested in the history of the canals in Amsterdam. The belt of canals of Amsterdam is truly remarkable and showing how well-planned the Dutch were in anticipating the increasing number of population. It is better to visit the museum before taking canal boat trip.
The entrance to the museum is free for I Amsterdam City Card holder. For more information, please visit: The official website of the museum: Het Grachtenhuis
The official website I Amsterdam City Card: I Amsterdam Card
indahs: dive, travel & photography 
Great report. We will have to visit the museum on our return visit. Amsterdam and it’s canals are fascinating!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you 🙂 Gladly sharing the museum to you 🙂
looks so interesting, Indah!! I just watched the first video with the people in each canal house…is this an animation, look like real people… fantastic!!
It was truly fascinating to see the animation – I wish I have such animation on my doll house when I was a kid LOL
Ternyata ada segitu banyak kanal dan jembatannya ya mba Indah, udah gitu perencanaannya mateng bener,,,
Iya, kebijakan yang bagus dan matang dampaknya bisa ratusan tahun dan keren pula 🙂
Hi Indah, I love your blog and how you take picture 💛
Thank you so much! Truly appreciate your message 🙂
Canal House looks amazing in night
Indeed! I love the night scene in the canals and their houses too 🙂
Your images make me long to return to Amsterdam. I had not visited the Museum of Canals on my last visit, but will make sure to do so next time.
Amsterdam is a fun city to visit! Hope you will make it in the future..My apology, I have been away quite a while from blogging world, I will visit your blog soon! Have a great weekend 🙂
I’ve been away from the blogging world myself but hope to be active again by month’s end. Hope you are well and loving life 🤗
Thank you! It has been busy and hectic days lately. I hope you are well too and things are moving fine with the sailing trips 🙂
magical! Loved the video Indah! Your documentation of Amsterdam makes me wish to visit it!
I am sure you will enjoy Amsterdam! The best time is the spring time, especially during the King’s Day where the Dutch wears orange and partying on the streets and the canals 🙂
Beautiful post, Indah! I enjoyed the bicycle fishing…and the life in the canal houses!
Thank you! The bicycle fishing is common in Amsterdam – sometimes the bikes went to the canal because of the strong winds (which is often happen) or the owner get a new bike and they just throw the old or broken bike into the canal!