The Singel in Amsterdam may now be a route for pleasure boats and tourists to enjoy peaceful walks along, but it was once the defensive moat that surrounded Amsterdam. In 1585 Amsterdam expanded beyond the Singel. As other canals were cut, the Grachtengordel came to life.
Starting at the IJ bay behind Central Station and connecting with the Amstel river by the Muntplein. As it was one of the first canals to be cut, it is the inner ring of Amsterdam’s famous canal ring (Grachtengordel).
There’s plenty of history to be seen along the banks of the Singel, some of the oldest Amsterdam buildings reside on here and many important buildings, either in modern times or in the history of the city.
Sights to see on the Singel canal :
Singel 7 has what is known as the worlds narrowest house. Can be seen by taking a canal boat tour on the Damrak.
Singel 100 is home to the Amsterdam contempory art gallery, exhibitions run constantly. If your into art then this might be somewhere worth stopping and viewing for a few minutes.
Singel 250 is the post office, on the corner of the Singel and Raadhuisstraat. The post office has a beautiful design worth seeing, just 5 minutes outside of Dam Square.
Singel 140-142 is where “De Dolphijn” resides. A historical canal house built around 1600. It was once lived in by Frans Banning Cocq, who just so happens to be the main figure in Rembrandts “Nightwatch”.
At Singel 411 you can find the Old Lutherse Kerk (Old Lutheran Church) which was built in 1632
Singel 425 is home to the library of the University of Amsterdam. If your on this part of the Singel it’s worth viewing from the outside.
Where the Singel meets the River Amstel you can find the Munttoren, Originally a gate to the city and part of Amsterdam’s old defences.
The Bloemenmarkt (Floating flower market) is also on the Singel, the entire market is floated on canal barges and houseboats. An extraordinary market by any means.
The oldest and widest bridge can also be found crossing the Singel. The Torensluis is just outside of Dam Square and crosses the Singel near to Oude Leliestraat.
