The Singel ( Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsɪ.ŋəl] ) is one of the canals of Amsterdam . The Singel encircled Amsterdam in the Middle Ages , serving as a moat around the city until 1585, when Amsterdam expanded beyond the Singel. The canal runs from the IJ bay, near the Central Station , to the Muntplein square, where it meets the Amstel river. It is now the inner-most canal in Amsterdam's semicircular ring of canals.
18-584: The canal should not be confused with the Singelgracht , which became the outer limit of the city during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Other Dutch towns also have ring-shaped canals named Singel. The name is related to the Dutch word omsingelen , "to surround", and comes ultimately from Latin cingulum , meaning "belt". Amsterdam's famous flower market, Bloemenmarkt , is located along
36-601: A result, the canal had a much more curvier course than these days. Parallel to the Singelgracht, on the inside of the ramparts was the Lijnbaansgracht situated, named after the ropeyards in this area. For two centuries, Amsterdam kept its characteristic crescent-shaped layout. In the last quarter of the 19th century, the city expanded beyond the Singelgracht. New roads were laid out on the former ramparts: Marnixstraat , Weteringschans and Sarphatistraat. Most of
54-568: A waste of money. The Torensluis , built in 1648, is an arched and exceptionally wide bridge across the Singel. Now covered by cosy café terraces and a bust of Dutch writer Multatuli , the Torensluis is the oldest remaining bridge in Amsterdam, and also the widest bridge in Amsterdam (42 meters). The Jan Roodepoortstoren tower stood on one end of the bridge but was torn down in 1829. However,
72-630: Is a semi-circular waterway that borders the entire city centre of Amsterdam , Netherlands. The canal runs along the Nassaukade [ nl ] , Stadhouderskade [ nl ] and Mauritskade [ nl ] streets. Formerly part of the ramparts , it formed the outer defenses of the city. The name is related to the Dutch word omsingelen , "to surround", and comes ultimately from Latin cingulum , meaning "belt". "Gracht" means canal . Other Dutch towns also have ring-shaped canals named Singel or Singelgracht. The Singelgracht
90-420: Is currently considering a plan to rebuild the tower and adjacent houses. However, this plan remains highly controversial; opponents consider it in poor taste and a waste of money. The Torensluis , built in 1648, is an arched and exceptionally wide bridge across the Singel. Now covered by cosy café terraces and a bust of Dutch writer Multatuli , the Torensluis is the oldest remaining bridge in Amsterdam, and also
108-547: Is often confused with another Amsterdam canal, the Singel . The Singel however surrounds the relatively small medieval center of Amsterdam, whereas the Singelgracht surrounds the entire city center, including the famous ring of canals . The name merely applies to the waterway, not to the adjacent built-up quays. The names of the streets on the 'inside' of the semi-circular canal are: Marnixkade, Leidsekade, Nicolaas Witsenkade, Sarphatikade, Huddekade, Spinozastraat and Alexanderkade. On
126-471: The Dutch Golden Age . Notable buildings along the canal include: The Haringpakkerstoren tower was part of Amsterdam's Medieval city defenses. The tower stood at the beginning of the Singel, near the IJ. It was demolished in 1829. The municipal government is currently considering a plan to rebuild the tower and adjacent houses. However, this plan remains highly controversial; opponents consider it in poor taste and
144-678: The Middle Ages , serving as a moat around the city until 1585, when Amsterdam expanded beyond the Singel. The canal runs from the IJ bay, near the Central Station , to the Muntplein square, where it meets the Amstel river. It is now the inner-most canal in Amsterdam's semicircular ring of canals. The canal should not be confused with the Singelgracht , which became the outer limit of
162-475: The 'outside' are three major roads: Nassaukade (west), Stadhouderskade (south) and Mauritskade (east). Singelgracht therefore is never part of an address. For this reason the name is less known than that of other canals. After the fourth expansion of the Amsterdam canal ring around 1660, the outer canal – with the ramparts that formed the city defenses – became the new boundary of the city. Within these ramparts there were strongholds on which windmills were built. As
180-605: The Rotterdammerbrug is part of the shipping connection (standing mast route) between the IJ and the Kattensloot / Kostverlorenvaart, with movable bridges on either side of the Willemspoort . The other bridges over the Singelgracht are fixed bridges. Singel The Singel ( Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsɪ.ŋəl] ) is one of the canals of Amsterdam . The Singel encircled Amsterdam in
198-473: The Singel between Koningsplein and Muntplein squares. The market stalls are actually boats floating in the canal. Part of the Singel has developed into a red-light district , with prostitutes offering their services from behind red-lit windows. The area, known as the Singelgebied, is located near Lijnbaanssteeg and Oude Nieuwstraat. Yab Yum , one of Amsterdam's most exclusive brothels until closed by
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#1732773280545216-507: The canal. Part of the Singel has developed into a red-light district , with prostitutes offering their services from behind red-lit windows. The area, known as the Singelgebied, is located near Lijnbaanssteeg and Oude Nieuwstraat. Yab Yum , one of Amsterdam's most exclusive brothels until closed by the local authority in January 2008, was located at Singel 295. The Singel is lined by many beautiful, richly decorated canal houses built during
234-424: The city during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Other Dutch towns also have ring-shaped canals named Singel. The name is related to the Dutch word omsingelen , "to surround", and comes ultimately from Latin cingulum , meaning "belt". Amsterdam's famous flower market, Bloemenmarkt , is located along the Singel between Koningsplein and Muntplein squares. The market stalls are actually boats floating in
252-408: The local authority in January 2008, was located at Singel 295. The Singel is lined by many beautiful, richly decorated canal houses built during the Dutch Golden Age . Notable buildings along the canal include: The Haringpakkerstoren tower was part of Amsterdam's Medieval city defenses. The tower stood at the beginning of the Singel, near the IJ. It was demolished in 1829. The municipal government
270-585: The strongholds or bulwarks (Dutch: "bolwerken") were demolished and the canal was straightened. The former winding course can still be recognized in a few places. Two windmills remain; both however were moved to new locations: De Gooyer to Zeeburgerstraat in Amsterdam-Oost and De Bloem to Haarlemmerweg in Amsterdam-West . The section of the Singelgracht between the Westerkanaal and
288-494: The tower's foundations remain part of the bridge. The entrance and barred windows of the tower's dungeon are still visible. The bridge, also known as Brug 9, crosses the Singel near Dam square, at Oude Leliestraat. Up until the 15th century, the Singel was known as the Stedegracht ("City Canal"). In the 17th century the canal was known for some time as Koningsgracht ("King's Canal"), in honor of King Henry IV of France , who
306-399: The widest bridge in Amsterdam (42 meters). The Jan Roodepoortstoren tower stood on one end of the bridge but was torn down in 1829. However, the tower's foundations remain part of the bridge. The entrance and barred windows of the tower's dungeon are still visible. The bridge, also known as Brug 9, crosses the Singel near Dam square, at Oude Leliestraat. Up until the 15th century, the Singel
324-785: Was known as the Stedegracht ("City Canal"). In the 17th century the canal was known for some time as Koningsgracht ("King's Canal"), in honor of King Henry IV of France , who was an important ally of the Dutch Republic during the early part of the 17th century. Part of the canal, stretching from Spui square to Lijnbaanssteeg / Blauwburgwal , was also known at one time as Londense Kaai ("London Quay") or Engelse Kaai ("English Quay") because many ships sailing between Amsterdam and London moored there. 52°22′25″N 4°53′20″E / 52.3737°N 4.8890°E / 52.3737; 4.8890 Singelgracht The Singelgracht ( Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsɪŋəlˌɣrɑxt] )
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