 |  | | Waves lapping around your house?
Life on a house boat. 
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| | | Three chic canals
Canal houses to die for!
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| | | Dam Square has had a turbulent history. Around 1270 a damn was constructed in this spot in the river Amstel. Dam Square was once the central marketplace of Amsterdam where literally everything under the moon was sold.
VIOLENCE AND PROTESTS
In 1535 the square was the scene of the Anabaptists’ riots. Less than a century later the loot of the silver fleet was the reason for a revolt. The troubles that erupted because the employment benefits were decreased in 1935, also focused on this square. Towards the end of the Second World War German soldiers killed innocent citizens here during a gruesome shoot-out. In the 1960s and the 1970s students protests took place here, as did the demonstrations against the war in Vietnam. It has been quiet on Dam Square in the past few decades. The latest riots were as long ago as 1980 on the occasion of HRH Queen Beatrix’ investiture in Nieuwe Kerk.
NATIONAL MONUMENT
The National Monument on Dam Square was unveiled on 4 May 1956. It was erected in remembrance of those who died during World War II. Each year on 4 May many dignitaries, including representatives of the royal family, commemorate the victims of the Second World War here.
NARROWEST HOUSE
There has been quite a lot of debate over this but the narrowest house in the world is actually near Dam Square! The house on Singel 7 is officially on record as the narrowest house in the world. It is only 101 centimeters wide! However, it is the back entrance to a house which tapers and which has standard dimensions at the front. So really, the house only has the narrowest façade in the world.
The narrowest house of Europe, however, is definitely located in Amsterdam. The address is Oude Hoogstraat 22, between Dam Square and Kloveniersbugwal. The house is only 2.02 meters wide and has a beautiful clock gable.
MAGNA PLAZA
When you walk in the direction of Spui, you will see Magna Plaza, just behind Nieuwe Kerk. This magnificent, 19th-century monument used to be the city’s General Post Office. Now it is a beautiful shopping mall which is open seven days a week. The building houses more than 40 shops and two restaurants which are clustered around a spacious hall. The shops sell mainly fashion, deluxe articles and gifts. |
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