Historical facts along Amsterdam’s canals
Anyone cruising along Amsterdam’s canals encounters far more history than you might think at first glance. Behind the famous towers, canals, and buildings lie stories that sometimes date back hundreds of years.
During VR Voyage, you’ll discover Amsterdam as it looks today while also travelling back in time to the 17th century at various points along the way. But what stories are connected to the places you pass by? We’ve put together three fascinating historical facts for you.
- The Schreierstoren likely did not get its name from weeping women
A well-known story about the Schreierstoren is that women would stand here crying as they said goodbye to sailors setting off on long journeys. A beautiful story, but probably not the real explanation behind the tower’s name. The tower was originally called the Schreyhoekstoren, named after the sharp corner made by the old city wall at this spot.
The Schreierstoren was built in 1487 and is the only fully surviving defensive tower of Amsterdam’s medieval city wall. Along the VR Voyage route, you’ll pass by this historic site and discover just how different the area looked centuries ago.
- The Montelbaanstoren was nicknamed “Malle Jaap”
The Montelbaanstoren also has a fascinating story to tell. The tower was originally built as part of Amsterdam’s defenses and was given the distinctive spire we recognize today in 1606. But did you know that the tower was nicknamed “Malle Jaap”?
The tower’s clock did not always work properly in the 17th century. Sometimes the bells would ring at odd times, only to remain silent for days afterward. That’s how the nickname came about. A small detail from the past that you probably wouldn’t expect when passing by the tower today.
- Amsterdam’s harbor once stretched for kilometers
In the 17th century, Amsterdam was deeply connected to the water. After 1585, the city grew into an important center for international trade, and the harbor along the IJ stretched for approximately 5 kilometers.
As a result, the area around the Oude Haven looked completely different from how we know it today. Ships, goods, and commercial activity dominated the scene. This contrast between past and present is exactly what makes VR Voyage so fascinating. In the VR scenes, historical locations are not simply shown as buildings—you see the surroundings come to life again, filled with ships and activity.
Discover the stories yourself
Amsterdam is full of stories that you could easily sail past from the water without ever knowing what happened there in the past. During the 75-minute VR Voyage canal cruise, you’ll spend most of the time enjoying Amsterdam as it looks today. At seven points along the route, you’ll put on the VR headset and travel back to the 17th century. In total, approximately 15 minutes of the tour consists of VR animations.
This gives the places and stories along the canals a whole new perspective.
Ready to discover Amsterdam then and now for yourself?
Book your VR Voyage experience at www.vrvoyage.nl!