Amsterdam Local Custom Tips by Helga67

Amsterdammerkes

Thank God there are Amsterdammerkes (little Amsterdammers). Those little brown iron poles are a blessing for every pedestrian.

Amsterdammerkes are installed to keep a safe distance between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. As long as you stay between the Amsterdammertjes and the houses, you are safe from being run over.

Every Amsterdammerke has the symbol of Amsterdam XXX marked on its pole.

Little by little these poles are disappearing. Where sidewalks are being elevated to mark the border between the road and sidewalk, the Amsterdammerkes are disappearing.

Another way of living

This is a typical view along many of the canals: the houseboats.
As there is a shortage of housing in Amsterdam, some people are living on boats. Some boats are really beautiful decorated and have a little garden, others look a little neglected.

Typical houses Architecture Review

Many houses in Amsterdam are very small because they used to pay taxes according to the width of their façade. So they built there homes very small but deep.

On the gable you will notice a pulley. As the stairs were very narrow and steep it was impossible to get the goods and furniture inside this way, so every house has a pulley on the outside to lift the goods.