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The leaning Houses of Amsterdam and why they tilt

The leaning houses in Amsterdam would indicate that the city’s on a bit of a tilt. And, if you’re wondering, no I didn’t partake of anything I shouldn’t have in its infamous coffee shops. Well maybe just the odd glass of red….

As we walked the pretty canals of the city we soon noticed that many of the tall, skinny, Amsterdam houses were on a distinct teeter. In fact some looked positively tipsy. It seems Amsterdam buildings lean every which way.

Leaning Amsterdam Houses
Crooked Amsterdam Houses

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Leaning Houses in Amsterdam

Until I saw for myself I had no idea that there are crooked houses in Amsterdam. So why are these buildings tilted? They suffer, to a large extent, from subsidence and many buildings built on wooden stilts have foundation problems which account for their somewhat squiffy appearance.

Some leaning houses in Amsterdam tilt so far forward that they look in danger of collapse. There is, in fact, method in their tilted madness – and it’s not due to subsidence.

These houses have very narrow, steep staircases. In times gone by, in a city prone to flooding, it would have been impossible to quickly shift goods and possessions of any value to the higher floors.

Leaning Amsterdam Houses
Amsterdam Crooked Houses

>>> Read more: What to see for free in Amsterdam

Why do Amsterdam houses have hooks on buildings?

So, why do Amsterdam’s buildings have hooks? Many of Amsterdam’s leaning buildings have a cantilevered beam and hook protruding from the gable at roof height. These would be used to winch possessions, and merchandise in the case of warehouses, to the upper levels.

The houses were built with a forward incline to help prevent items from colliding with the building façade on their way up. So now you know why there are leaning houses in Amsterdam and why they have hooks.

Amsterdam Canal Houses
Amsterdam canal houses

The gables to which the winch and pulleys are attached hint at some of the history of the buildings and the trades that were carried out there. The gabled architecture gradually evolved from simple ‘triangle’ and ‘stepped’ gables to more decorative ‘neck’ and ‘’bell’ gables.

Why are Amsterdam Houses so narrow?

Due to the instability of the land planning laws in the 15th century were strict. Planning required that facades be built of lightweight materials with large windows to reduce weight.

Taxes were charged according to the width of the frontage which explains why most Amsterdam houses are lean and skinny.

During the 17th century the city became more prosperous and with that wider, double-fronted merchant houses sprung up along the Gentlemen’s Canal and Golden Bend with elaborate gables and statuary.

 

Anne Frank Huis

Probably the most famous house is the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. The former home of Anne Frank attracts around a million visitors a year. For over two years Anne Frank and her family hid in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263 where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, had his business.

Whenever we passed the building there were long queues lining up outside for tickets – we’d booked online and bypassed the queues but I’d recommend you do this a couple of weeks in advance to get your chosen times.

Anne Frank Huis
Ann Frank’s House in Amsterdam

The museum is a sobering and thought-provoking experience and the exhibits portray the hardships that the family endured. Sadly they suffered to no avail since Otto Frank was the only surviving family member to walk free from the concentration camps.

Pushing the door disguised as a bookcase to ascend the stairs to the attic was a particularly poignant experience. Having had an insight into the occupants’ lives through the exhibits and displays on the way through the building I felt incredibly saddened knowing I was following a route they’d trod many times to their secret hiding place.

>>> Read more: Cool and Quirky things to do in Amsterdam

 

Where to stay in Amsterdam

We stayed at the McGallery flagship boutique hotel in the heart of the city, the Ink Hotel Amsterdam (although it was called The Convent Hotel when we were there). It’s just a 10-minute walk from Dam Square in one direction and Jordaan District and the canals in the other where you’ll see many of the leaning buildings of Amsterdam.

The hotel’s in a perfect location for visiting the main sights in the city centre. The quieter, pretty canal-side cafes, shops and restaurants of the Jordaan area are close by too. The main railway station is also just a ten-minute walk away with frequent trains to and from Schiphol Airport.

The hotel has, in the past, been home to two monasteries and the headquarters of Dutch newspaper ‘De Tijd’.  It is made up of five buildings and there are many original features hinting at its past. We found it a perfect base for our stay in Amsterdam.

>>> Check availability and rates at INK Hotel Amsterdam – MGallery by Sofitel, Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde, Amsterdam, The Netherlands or other Amsterdam hotels and hostels.

 
The Convent Hotel, Amsterdam
The Ink Hotel, Amsterdam

Canal Houses, Amsterdam

amsterdam-canal-reflections
 

Travelbunny Highlights 2013 | The Travelbunny

Monday 30th of December 2013

[…] where we laughed for three days solid, explored Amsterdam’s Canal Life, learned about the gabled buildings and Alison was reprimanded by a […]

Amsterdam’s Canal Life | The Travelbunny

Friday 13th of December 2013

[…] (professional tourist me!) and a few quirky facts too.   Check out my other Amsterdam posts Slightly Squiffy in Amsterdam, What to see for Free in Amsterdam and Sex, Drugs and […]

Sartenada

Friday 18th of October 2013

Excellent variety of Amsterdam photos.

Suzanne Courtney

Friday 18th of October 2013

Thank you - so much to shoot!

Stacey

Thursday 26th of September 2013

These photos look great! I will be travelling to Europe at the beginning of next year but I am still indecisive on the last few countries I will be visiting. After reading this post I am thinking Amsterdam may be another destination on my list!

Suzanne Courtney

Thursday 26th of September 2013

I loved Amsterdam and there's so much see and do. I'd definitely recommend it. Will keep an eye on your travels - have fun!

Amsterdam – Sex, Drugs and Pedalos? | The Travelbunny

Tuesday 6th of August 2013

[…] boat trips through the canal district, museum visits, free sight-seeing and, of course,  plenty of gable-spotting.  But I can’t leave Amsterdam behind without mentioning its more infamous attractions; The […]

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