Oude pakhuizen langs de Brouwersgracht

The Brouwersgracht is known for its impressive row of historic warehouses, which recall the time when Amsterdam was the beating heart of world trade. In the 17th century, ships lay side by side here to unload wood, grain, spices, wine and other merchandise. The warehouses were built with high storage lofts, sturdy beams and characteristic hoisting beams, so that goods could be hoisted inside directly from the ship. Many buildings still bear names such as De Os, De Lelie or De Drie Hendricken, which in the past helped to distinguish the warehouses from one another. Today many of these former storage places have been carefully restored and converted into homes, offices or studios, while their historic appearance has been preserved. As a result, the Brouwersgracht still breathes the atmosphere of the Amsterdam Golden Age.
Where does the name come from?
A warehouse (pakhuis) is a storage building for trade goods. Along the Brouwersgracht hundreds of warehouses arose from the 17th century onwards thanks to the favourable location between the harbour and the city centre. The canal itself owes its name to the breweries that were located here in the past.
Fun fact
Take a look up at the façades of the old warehouses. Almost all of them still have a hoisting beam at the top of the façade. Because the stairwells were too narrow for large barrels and bales, goods were hoisted for centuries with ropes and pulleys via the windows to the storage lofts. Those hoisting beams are still one of the most recognisable features of the Amsterdam warehouses.