Historische woonboten aan de Brouwersgracht

Between the stately warehouses and monumental canal houses lie dozens of former cargo ships, inland vessels and old motor ships that have been given a second life as homes. The Brouwersgracht once formed a busy trade route, where ships were loaded and unloaded with spices, wood, beer and other merchandise. When commercial shipping disappeared from the city centre, many of these ships were converted into houseboats. Today they form, together with the historic warehouses and bridges, one of the most photogenic streetscapes of Amsterdam. The municipality moreover encourages the preservation of these historic ships, because they are an important part of the maritime heritage of the city.
Where does the name come from?
The Brouwersgracht owes its name to the many breweries that settled here in the 16th and 17th centuries. Thanks to the favourable location on the edge of the old harbour, raw materials and barrels of beer could easily be transported by ship. The houseboats that now lie there form a fine contrast with this rich trading past.

Fun fact
Many houseboats on the Brouwersgracht are not modern floating homes, but original historic ships. As a result, a walk along the canal feels as if you are walking through an open-air museum of Amsterdam shipping – complete with old wheelhouses, ship hulls and authentic details that recall their past on the water.