Description of the attraction
Damrak is one of the central streets of Amsterdam. It connects Dam - the main square of the capital - with the Central Railway Station.
Damrak passes on the site of the canal partially filled up in the 19th century and the old channel of the Amstel River. After the canal was filled up, Dam Square became surrounded on all sides by land. This street was the location of the famous Amsterdam Stock Exchange Berlage, it was here that the main financial institutions of the city were concentrated. The street name has become a household name for the Dutch stock exchange, just like Wall Street or NASDAQ. The former stock exchange building now houses an exhibition and concert hall. In 2002, the civil wedding ceremony of the current King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima was held here in this building.
Now tram routes run along Damrak street. The street itself is designed mainly for tourists - there are many cafes, restaurants, currency exchange offices, shops and museums. Here you can also hire a boat and arrange a tour of the canals.
From the side of the canal you can see the famous "dancing houses of Damrak". Due to the instability of the soil and the proximity of water, the old foundations do not withstand the load, and over time, houses begin to tilt in different directions. The dancing houses look especially picturesque in the evening when they are illuminated.
