| Unlike most of Amsterdam's canals, which only carry | | | | of Amsterdam and has now become an icon. There |
| pleasure boats, low bridged and narrow width prevent | | | | has been a narrow, or "skinny" bridge here for over |
| much else. However the Amstel still plays an important | | | | 300 years. The name is probably a reference to its |
| commercial role, carrying cole and grain-laden ships | | | | original width, which allowed barely more than 1 person |
| and barges to the port of Amsterdam. It is well worth | | | | at a time to cross. The present version was erected in |
| a walk along the river to see the barges going to and | | | | 1969 and it is the only wooden bridge in the city and is |
| fro and the workings of Amsterdam's famous | | | | repaired every couple of decades. |
| double-leaf drawbridges as they pass. | | | | There are about 1400 bridges in Amsterdam and quite |
| Blue Bridge | | | | a few of this design but for some reason this is the |
| The busy Blue Bridge Blauwbrug is a flamboyantly | | | | one that has excited the imagination. It's a fine sight lit |
| decorated structure built in 1883 and has been | | | | by night. |
| modeled on the Pont Alexandre III in Paris. Peer over | | | | Did you know? |
| the bridge to see its boat-shaped peers [which is best | | | | Back in 1838, a German pastor recorded in his travel |
| seen from a sightseeing boat] and look up at its ornate | | | | diary about Amsterdam's canals - "The person who |
| lampstands, topped with the imperial crown of | | | | visits the city wrapped in blue mist, and in the autumn |
| Amsterdam's coat of arms. The lamps are painted | | | | breathes its unpleasant odours, will conclude with no |
| bright blue, in keeping with the original blue wooden | | | | second thoughts, that this is the least healthy place in |
| bridge on this site. | | | | the world." Of course, this is no longer the case and a |
| Skinny Bridge | | | | city break in Amsterdam is now one of the most |
| More famous is the neighbouring bridge, the Magere | | | | popular European short breaks. |
| Brug, which appears on so many pictures of the city | | | | |