Amsterdam
Overview

The capital of the Netherlands has plenty of advantages with which to charm both its inhabitants and its visitors. A real centre of Dutch culture, the town has a strong artistic and architectural heritage and boasts some of the best-known museums in the world. Amsterdam’s 165 canals which extend for as long as 100km and are spanned by 1280 bridges, remain one of its major features to this day and make it one of the most iconic cities in northern Europe.
Amsterdam was originally built by fisherman in the 12th century on a marshy area. The town was ruled by several different dynasties (from the Dukes of Burgundy to the Austrian Habsburgs) up until the 16th century. It was then that William of Orange, a supporter of the Protestant reformation, took control of the city and in 1578 Catholicism was banned. The 17th century marked an era of prosperity for Amsterdam with the rise of Dutch art, and colonialism allowing the city to expand considerably. The 20th century saw Amsterdam welcome many of the Jews fleeing from Nazi Germany, demonstrating the city’s tolerance.
Thanks to its varied history, Amsterdam has developed a cosmopolitan atmosphere and offers a excellent, if sometimes controversial, way of life. The attractive city is compact and easily negotiable on foot or, as the locals prefer, by bicycle.