PRESS FEATURE Amsterdam’s Golden Age The Netherlands enjoyed a Golden Age in the 17th century and Amsterdam rapidly blossomed into one of the wealthiest cities in the world. The number of people living in the city tripled from 60,000 in 1600 to 200,000 in 1650, making Amsterdam the third largest city in Europe, behind London and Paris. Nearly three- quarters of Amsterdam residents in the 17th century were born elsewhere. Canals were a defining feature of Amsterdam as early as the Middle Ages, with three waterways dominating the city: the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and Achterburgwal. These canals were created parallel to the River Amstel at the heart of the city. Back then, Amsterdam was enclosed (and protected) by moats that are still present today – the Singel, Kloveniersburgwal and Geldersekade. A number of defence towers and city gates have also stood the test of time, such as the Schreierstoren, Montelbaanstoren, Waag and Munttoren. The Canal Ring: World Heritage However, Amsterdam only really shot to fame with its Canal Ring, which was constructed around the existing city from 1613 onwards. Those in the know often refer to the Amsterdam Canal Ring as the most magnificent urban plan to be developed and implemented in 17th-century Europe. In 2010, the Canal Ring received official recognition when it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. In order to provide sufficient housing for the influx of new residents, three wide canals were added around the medieval city centre early in the 17th century. The impressive facades of the prominent houses in this canal ring reflect the fashion of the day: initially classicist with subsequent baroque additions. New residential neighbourhoods were built for the less distinguished immigrants to Amsterdam, concentrated in the north-west and east of the city (the Jordaan and Nieuwmarktbuurt respectively). Both neighbourhoods were home to numerous artists, including Rembrandt. Four hundred years on, 17th-century Amsterdam surprisingly still looks the part. The spirit of the Golden Age is certainly very much alive along the city centre’s wide canals and narrow alleys. | Page 2 of 9 Rapid growth As a port, Amsterdam’s rapid growth was largely the result of trade with the Baltic countries. Amsterdam merchants distributed grain acquired from Prussia and Poland throughout Europe, leading to the city becoming known as the ‘granary of Europe’. Speculative commercial enterprises sent explorers based in Amsterdam to all corners of the globe. The Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, VOC) was founded in 1602 – the first ever public limited company. This trading association provided fully-equipped ships, commodities and funds (primarily to buy the expensive spices). Subsequent to the success of the association, the Dutch West India Company was founded in 1621 to focus on America and West Africa. Back then, the Republic’s merchant navy – in which Amsterdam had the largest share – was larger than those of England, Scotland and France combined. From 1585, the city entered a new phase of whirlwind expansion: in 15 years, the city’s population doubled to 60,000. By 1660, the resident counter had hit 220,000, making Amsterdam the third largest city in Europe, behind London and Paris. In order to cope with the population explosion, major developments commenced in 1610 to expand the city to the west. It was during this expansion that the fan-shaped canal ring of the Heren¬gracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht was created – providing charming residences for the city’s prosperous merchants. Work was simultaneously conducted on the Jordaan – an industrial area and home to the less well-to-do city residents. This ambitious expansion quadrupled the surface area of Amsterdam in what was comparatively an extremely short space of time. The Amsterdam Canal Ring is unique: not only in light of its unprecedented size (160 hectares), but also because of its unusual layout. The majority of cities with canals are characterised by a right- angled structure, whereas in Amsterdam it’s formed from semicircles around the medieval core. In retrospect, the design of the Canal Ring is brilliant in its simplicity. The humanistic ideal of the period was symmetry, straight lines and a concentric plan. As such, the three main canals are not actually curved. In fact, each one consists of five kinked straight sections, which come together to form a half polygon. The central point of the ‘semicircle’ is Dam Square. Of the primary canals, the Herengracht and Keizersgracht were destined to be used exclusively for residential housing. No form of commercial activity was permitted in these houses. Warehouses and businesses such | Page 3 of 9 as beer breweries could also be found on the outermost canal, the Prinsengracht. Increasing wealth and the influence of international classicism meant that, primarily after 1660, a large amount of houses were built on double plots. These houses exude the strict French style, featuring a straight gable and wherever possible, built completely from expensive natural stone. The ‘canal-side palaces’ on the Golden Bend of the Herengracht are prime examples of such buildings. The trees lining the canals were also a highly innovative idea for the time. Amsterdam was the first city in Europe to plant trees on such a large scale: international visitors were impressed to see dual rows of lime (and later elm) trees line each newly-constructed canal – even before 1600. Visitors to the city often wondered whether to call the Canal Ring a ‘forest in the city’ or a ‘city in the forest’. After visiting Amsterdam in 1664, German author Philipp von Zesen even went so far as comparing the Canal Ring to paradise. The cultural climate In classical cities such as Rome, Venice, Madrid, Vienna and Paris, Amsterdam was viewed as something of an upstart: a city with more money than taste. After all, it was the capital of a burgeoning bourgeois republic, sandwiched between two esteemed monarchies. This is partly why, from the outset, Amsterdam invested heavily in public cultural institutions such as the Stadsschouwburg (theatre), the Athenaeum Illustre (what we now know as the University of Amsterdam) and the Hortus Botanicus (botanical gardens). By investing in making the city an architectural work of art, the city council succeeded in raising Amsterdam’s international standing. The most renowned example of this approach is perhaps the then City Hall (now the Royal Palace), a building for which no trouble or expense was spared. And in general, all governmental buildings built in Amsterdam in the 17th century were more expensive and refined than was strictly necessary, while always catering to the latest architectural leanings. Tolerance and care of the underprivileged Compared with other European capital cities, 17th-century Amsterdam stood out from the pack in at least two regards: the tolerance of other cultures and religions and the unusually extensive level of care offered to the socially underprivileged. The notion of tolerance in the city aligned | Page 4 of 9 with Amsterdam’s traditional, encompassing immigration policy. The Roman Catholic Church played a central role in other countries, but Amsterdam was home to a large number of Protestant churches. As such, Amsterdammers were accustomed to religious diversity in urban society. This tolerant attitude was also extremely pragmatic: immigration was ultimately required to allow continued economic growth. As a result of its rapid growth, the lion’s share of Amsterdam’s population in the Golden Age consisted of immigrants. Writing in 1688, the French author Hortense de Jardins aptly summed up the city’s climate of tolerance: “Amsterdam is a beautiful city. (…) Large numbers of people are arriving from an enormous range of countries; the multiplicity and diversity conjures up images of ancient Babylon. (…) Amsterdam is the most welcoming place in Europe and there’s surely no Persian or Armenian who would feel less at home here than in their native country.” Dutch philosopher Spinoza wrote: “We can count ourselves lucky to live in a republic in which everyone’s opinion is free and unrestricted, in which everyone is free to serve God as they see fit and in which freedom is, above all else, a cherished and precious commodity.” Amsterdam was also a shining light when it came to the care offered to the socially underprivileged. Pragmatic considerations also supported this approach: good community spirit and social care were a precondition of a peaceful and safe city. The authorities provided not only for orphans, the sick and elderly from the reformed bourgeoisie, but also for the masses without links to the city or a church – another aspect that set Amsterdam apart from all other cities. This wasn’t only seen as a Christian duty, it also helped avoid social problems and unrest. Amsterdam’s prison system was even socialised in the form of ‘work houses’, designed to prepare inmates for their reintegration into society. European centre of culture In the 17th century, Amsterdam became an important European centre for intellectuals and artists, in part thanks to the generous intellectual and religious freedom the city afforded them. The prosperous merchants and governors had sufficient funds to supply architects, painters and sculptors with plenty of work. Of the artists working in the period, Rembrandt van Rijn arguably became the most famous. Amsterdam as part of the Grand Tour Amsterdam’s Canal Ring rose to international fame throughout the 17th century and visitors came from far and wide to experience the marvel | Page 5 of 9 first hand. At the time, Amsterdam was the only city in the world with such clear and consistent spatial planning, opulent construction and integrated waterways, residential houses, trees and bridges. Amsterdam became a staple port of call for well-to-do travellers during their ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe.