The Jordaan
The Netherlands
The most common theory on the origin of the name is as a derivation of the French word Jardin, meaning garden: most streets and canals in the Jordaan are named after trees and flowers. Another theory is that the Prinsengracht canal was once nicknamed Jordaan (the Dutch name for the river Jordan) and that the neighborhood beyond the canal came to be called this as well. Our Flagship canal tour will start and end here in the Jordaan.
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1The Jordaan
Welcome, fellow travelers and scholars of urban history, to the Jordaan. You are standing in what is undeniably one of the most character-rich, atmospheric, and beautifully preserved neighborhoods in all of Amsterdam. …
Listen in the app2The Brouwersgracht Boundary
We commence our walking tour at the northernmost boundary of the Jordaan, standing along the picturesque banks of the Brouwersgracht, or the Brewers' Canal. As you look out over the dark, reflective waters, you are gazing upon…
Listen in the app3The Noordermarkt Square
Following the eastern edge of the neighborhood along the Prinsengracht, we arrive at a vibrant, expansive public square known as the Noordermarkt, or the Northern Market. This space represents the pulsing, communal heart of the…
Listen in the app4The Lindengracht Transformation
We now turn westward off the market square and step onto the wide, paved expanse of the Lindengracht. As you look down the length of this broad, bustling street, flanked by tall trees and modern storefronts, you might assume it…
Listen in the app5The Westerkerk and Rembrandt's Rest
As we navigate the quiet, perpendicular side streets of the central Jordaan, I urge you to look up towards the eastern horizon. Soaring magnificently above the traditional brick rooflines is the Westertoren, the towering spire of…
Listen in the app6The Anne Frank House
Directly across the street from the towering Westerkerk, situated precisely on the banks of the Prinsengracht canal, stands a humble, traditional brick facade that carries an almost incomprehensible emotional weight. This is the…
Listen in the app7De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Little Streets)
Stepping away from the heavy historical gravity of the Prinsengracht, we wander slightly southward into a delightful, highly curated micro-neighborhood affectionately known as De Negen Straatjes, or the Nine Little Streets. From…
Listen in the app8The Mouse Mansion and Boutique Commerce
As we continue to explore the intricate web of retail spaces within the Jordaan, one particular storefront invariably forces pedestrians to stop dead in their tracks. We have arrived at The Mouse Mansion. …
Listen in the app9Cafe De Vergulde Gaper
As our extensive physical journey through the alleys, markets, and history of the Jordaan draws to its final stop, we find ourselves standing on a picturesque street corner overlooking the canal. Before us is Cafe De Vergulde…
Listen in the app10Closing
As you finish your coffee at the edge of the canal, taking in the serene, tree-lined view, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the staggering sociopolitical journey of the Jordaan. We have walked over the very soil where…
Listen in the app
What is The Jordaan?
The Jordaan is a place in The Netherlands with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | The Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 52.3740, 4.8808 |
| Last updated |
