Architecture, Amsterdam

Most buildings in the center are more than 100 years old, most of them are inclined over the ages because of the wery watery soil. The architecture is very typical, one could say, every house is a monument...

In case you wondered: The houses in Amsterdam don't have hooks at the top because Holland is full of suicidal people. It's because the staircases are really steep and narrow - just imagine moving houses with a piano!

What are these phallic-like poles along the roadside for?
Called Amsterdammertjes, they’re for tourists to walk into and look silly. Guys in particular should watch out, since these things are at just the right height in most cases to deliver a potentially damaging impact between the legs. They are actually there to help separate cars from pedestrians. The Dutch feel so strongly about these objects of affection that they managed to get over 50,000 signatures on a petition opposing government plans to remove them.

The spionnetje is a typical Amsterdam thing. It's a rear mirror like spy-device people living at the upper floors use to see who is at the front door at street level.

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The facades of the old Amsterdam houses are reflecting their history.

Pictures stones, ornaments, cramp-irons, skylights and gabels tell their own story.

When you are looking good and want to relax, pull up a bit of concrete and people watching is the preferred activity.