The medieval and colonial age canals of Amsterdam, known as grachten, embraces the heart of the city where homes have interesting gables.
In the early 17th century, when immigration was at a peak, a comprehensive plan was developed that was based on four concentric half-circles of canals with their ends emerging at the IJ bay. Known as the Grachtengordel, three of the canals were mostly for residential development: the Herengracht, the name can be roughly translated as “Canal of the Lords”, Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal). The fourth and outermost canal is the Singelgracht, which is often not mentioned on maps, because it is a collective name for all canals in the outer ring. The Singelgracht should not be confused with the oldest and most inner canal Singel.
The canals served for defence, water management and transport. Now they are used for tourist boat trips and housing of numerous boat houses.
Coin is available with the coin “From Amsterdam with Love”