Brouwersgracht

The Brouwersgracht is regarded by many Amsterdammers as the most beautiful canal of the city. The canal connects the Singel with the Singelgracht and lies on the north side of the Jordaan. In the 17th century this was a bustling trade area where warehouses, shipyards and storage places determined the streetscape. Today the Brouwersgracht is loved precisely for its idyllic character, with historic warehouses, charming bridges, houseboats and beautifully restored canal houses. The combination of wide stretches of water, old trees and monumental buildings makes this canal one of the most photogenic spots of Amsterdam. It is no wonder that the Brouwersgracht is part of the UNESCO World Heritage zone of the Amsterdam canal belt.
Where does the name come from?
The Brouwersgracht owes its name to the many breweries (brouwerijen) that settled here in the 16th and 17th centuries. Brewers used the clean water and the favourable location for the supply of raw materials and the transport of beer. Although the breweries have disappeared, the name still recalls this important branch of industry from Amsterdam history.
Fun fact
Many of the impressive warehouses along the Brouwersgracht still have their original hoisting beams. With them, goods such as spices, grain and wood were hoisted centuries ago directly from the ships to the storage lofts. Today many of these former warehouses have been converted into luxury homes, but the characteristic hoisting beams still recall the rich trading past of the canal.