Keizersgracht

The Keizersgracht is the widest of the three main canals of Amsterdam and has radiated grandeur since the 17th century. The canal was dug in 1615 as part of the famous canal belt and is known for its imposing mansions, stately trees and quiet character. Along the Keizersgracht you find countless national monuments, historic warehouses, atmospheric bridges and hidden inner gardens. There are also special sights here, such as Museum Van Loon, the Felix Meritis and the iconic Nine Streets. Although the Herengracht was traditionally the most prestigious residential street, the Keizersgracht is hardly inferior to it in terms of beauty. Together with the Herengracht, Prinsengracht and the Singel, the canal forms the UNESCO World Heritage and shows perfectly how progressive the city expansion of the Golden Age was.
Where does the name come from?
The Keizersgracht is named after Emperor Maximilian I of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1489 Amsterdam received from Maximilian the right to bear his imperial crown in the city coat of arms, in gratitude for the financial support the city had given him. The name of the canal is a lasting reminder of that historic bond.
Fun fact
The Keizersgracht almost never became a canal at all. During the planning in 1614 there was a proposal to make it a wide, stately boulevard without water, following the example of the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. In the end the city nevertheless chose a canal, because transport by water was indispensable for trade, building materials and water management. Fortunately, because otherwise Amsterdam would never have had one of its most beautiful canals.