House on the three canals in Amsterdam (b&w) by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

The Oudezijds Voorburgwal was dug between 1342 and 1380 and is Amsterdam's oldest canal. The quiet part to the left of Damstraat used to be called the Velvet Burgwal. It owed this name to the distinguished families that lived there. These people usually dressed in velvet. Almost all houses on this part of the canal have been restored to their original state.

Near the entrance of the former Binnengasthuis (until 1981 the largest hospital in the city centre, now part of the University of Amsterdam), stands the famous Huis aan de Drie Grachten, pictured here in the evening. It is a 17th-century canal house in Amsterdam in Dutch Renaissance style, with a stepped gable on each canal. The building has national monument status, and it owes its name to the fact that it is surrounded by canals on three sides: the Grimburgwal on the south side, Oudezijds Voorburgwal on the west side and Oudezijds Achterburgwal on the east side.

The current house dates from around 1610, but archaeological research has shown that the oldest elements of the building date from the second quarter of the 16th century. A major renovation took place in 1909. The aim was to restore the original 17th-century situation. The building was given new stepped gables, cross windows and a sandstone entrance gate. These parts had been demolished in the 18th century. Two large 17th-century fireplaces are present in the property. However, it is not known whether these fireplaces were added in 1909, or were originally in the house.