Singel Amsterdam @ night by Michael van der Burg

About "Singel Amsterdam @ night"

by Michael van der Burg

About the artwork

The (Amsterdam: het) Singel is an Amsterdam canal, running from the IJ to the Muntplein, where it flows into the Binnen Amstel. History The Singel was dug from the IJ to the Boerenwetering around 1428. The remaining part to the Amstel followed around 1450. Until the city enlargement of around 1585, the Singel formed the western city boundary. From 1481, the earthen wall was replaced by a stone wall. At that time, the Singel was also called Stedegracht. Today, this Stedegracht still consists of the present Singel, Kloveniersburgwal and Geldersekade. In the 17th century, the Singel was temporarily called Koningsgracht in honour of King Henry IV of France, an important ally of the Republic at the time. Koningsplein is a reminder of this. The part of the Singel from the Round Lutheran Church to Lijnbaanssteeg where the ships bound for London, the 'Londoners', had their berths, was also called Londense Kaai and Engelse Kaai. Part of the Geldersekade was also called Londonse Kaai or English Kaai. Between Lijnbaanssteeg and Torensluis, the Singel was called Rouaansche Kaai, because of the navigation on Het Kanaal. The Torensluis from 1648 is the oldest preserved and the widest bridge in the entire city centre. This Bridge 9 - at the level of Oude Leliestraat - is so wide because the Jan Roodenpoort tower, demolished in 1829, stood here. The tower's dungeons are still part of the bridgehead. In the cobblestones on the bridge are