Golden Age grandeur at the Canal House Museum

Urban development - 17^th century style

The museum is a celebration of the grand 17^th century urban development project that would become the Canal Ring - a strand of elegant mansions and gardens encircling the city's medieval centre. Housed in the historic Grachtenhuis mansion, the building itself reflects the history of this district. Built by Philip Vingboons, 17^th century architect to the rich and famous, the mansion once housed the offices of banker Jan Willink, who financed many undertakings that would change the course of history, such as the building of New York City and the American Revolutionary War.

Engineering marvel

Since Amsterdam is located on swamp land, the Canal District really is an engineering marvel. The Canal House Museum details how the city looked before the Canal Ring was built and what led to its construction, as well as providing visitors with models and cross-sections showing how the plots of land were built on wooden poles. It also gives visitors a glimpse into what life has been like for the District’s residents throughout the ages, and takes them through stately parlours and a beautiful garden.

Gateway to Canal District

The museum is also equipped to help you plan a personal itinerary of how to further explore the Canal District. Located on the Herengracht at the gateway to the Gouden Bocht (Golden Bend), visitors can feast their eyes on the Golden Age splendour of this stretch of the Canal Ring, where the city’s richest merchants built spacious and stately mansions. From here, why not explore other museums found in canal mansions, such as the beautiful Willet-Holthuysen Museum and Museum Van Loon. And as of 24 September 2011, Van Loon is the only residence of its kind complete with an original stately carriage house!

Visit the Canal House Museum and experience the Golden Age splendour of Amsterdam’s most enchanting and iconic neighbourhood.

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