t Houseboats line a canal in Jordaan on a summer’s evening
t Houseboats line a canal in Jordaan on a summer’s evening
Experience Jordaan and the Western Islands
At the start of the 17th century, construction of the Grachtengordel began here, just west of the Singel canal. At the same time, city planner Hendrick Staets laid out the marshy area beyond these fashionable canals as an area for workers whose industries were banned from the town centre. Its network of narrow streets and oblique canals followed the course of old paths and drainage ditches. Immigrants fleeing religious persecution also settled here. It is thought that Huguenot refugees called the district jardin (garden), later corrupted to “Jordaan”. Historically a poor area, it is famous for its hofjes (almshouses), and the Claes Claeszhofje is a fine early example. Further north are the characterful Western Islands, created in the mid-17th century to meet the demand for warehouses.