A Neighbourhood Built on Togetherness Today, the Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most beloved neighbourhoods. Visitors wander through its narrow streets, stop for coffee along the canals and admire the historic houses that seem to lean gently towards one another. It feels cosy, welcoming and full of character. But the Jordaan was never designed to […]

The Men Who Printed More Than Books When people talk about the history of Amsterdam, they usually talk about merchants. About ships returning from distant ports, warehouses filled with spices and traders building grand houses along the canals. And fair enough. Trade helped shape the city we know today. But Amsterdam was built by more […]

Before Amsterdam Was Rich, There Was Herring Long before Amsterdam became a city of canals, merchants and grand canal houses, it was a city that depended on the water. Ships came and went, markets grew busier every year and trade slowly transformed a modest settlement into one of Europe’s most important ports. But before spices, […]

A City That Took Potatoes Very Seriously Ask a Dutch person what truly makes a meal feel complete and there is a good chance a potato will appear somewhere. Boiled, mashed, fried, stamped, baked, we have been doing almost everything with potatoes for generations, except writing romantic poetry about them. Although, to be fair, we […]

An Old Cookbook in the Heart of Amsterdam In the bookcase at ’t Westerhuys, somewhere between the wood, the glassware and the lively rush of the Prinsengracht, there is an old cookbook kept under glass. Its cover is worn, its pages have yellowed and the dark ink still carries the feeling of a time when […]

Een kerk die al eeuwen bij de stad hoort Als je een tijdje in Amsterdam rondloopt, hoor je vroeg of laat vanzelf de klokken van de Westerkerk. Soms ergens in de verte terwijl je over de gracht loopt, soms ineens heel dichtbij wanneer je net een terras op schuift of stil blijft staan op de […]