The Damrak in Amsterdam is a street and a water between Dam Square and Central Station.
Originally the Damrak was the part of the river Amstel between the Dam and the IJ. (A 'rak' is a straight stretch of water). Via a lock at the Dam, the river flowed from the Rokin into the Damrak and then discharged into the IJ. This was part of the old port of Amsterdam. Where Central Station is now located, there was a row of mooring posts in the IJ, to which larger ships could moor. The quay, which only runs on one side of the water, was called "Op 't Water" until the second half of the 19th century. In the 19th century (in 1845 and in 1883) southern parts of the Damrak, between Dam Square and Oudebrugsteeg, were filled in. Between 1845 and 1903, where the Bijenkorf now stands, stood the Beurs van Zocher.
The houses on the Warmoesstraat between the Nieuwebrugsteeg and the Oudebrugsteeg are still standing with the rear facade in the unobstructed part of the Damrak. At the Guldehandsteeg, which connects the water to the Warmoesstraat, there is the only remaining "water pavement" in this row of facades, where ships were unloaded. In this remaining part of the water (the "Wet Damrak") canal boats moor.
I'm Jeroen, and I'll spare you the long introduction. ;) If you're looking for a landscape photo for your wall, you've come to the right place... Read more…