Merry Christmas from Amsterdam by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Merry Christmas from Amsterdam"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

The Singel is an Amsterdam canal, running from the IJ to Muntplein, where it flows into the Binnen Amstel.

The Singel was dug from the IJ to the Boerenwetering around 1428. The remaining part to the Amstel followed around 1450. Until the city enlargement of about 1585, the Singel formed the western city boundary. From 1481, the earthen wall was replaced by a stone wall. At that time, the Singel was also called Stedegracht. Today, this Stedegracht still consists of the present Singel, Kloveniersburgwal and Geldersekade.

In the 17th century, the Singel was temporarily called Koningsgracht in honour of King Henry IV of France, an important ally of the Republic at the time. Koningsplein is a reminder of this. The part of the Singel from the Round Lutheran Church to Lijnbaanssteeg where the ships bound for London, the 'London sailors', had their berths, was also called London Quay and English Quay. The Tower Lock from 1648 is the oldest preserved and the widest bridge in the entire city centre.

On this particular evening, I had first gone to photograph some of the Amsterdam Light Festival projects. On my way back home, I came upon the Singel, where a bridge further on stood a Christmas tree that blends nicely into its surroundings. Especially with the relatively calm water in the canal providing a fine reflection.

Make Christmas just a little more beautiful with this Amsterdam evening photo on the wall.