Viking Cruise Vacation #3: Amsterdam: Leaning Buildings, Canals, Anne Frank's House, Royal Waiting Chamber

This is the third blog about our Viking Rhine River Cruise. Today's blog is about some of our experiences in Amsterdam- Why there are leaning Buildings, the famous "Anne Frank" House, and a look at the Royal Waiting Chamber.

LEANING BUILDINGS IN AMSTERDAM - Almost every house in one part of Amsterdam was built on top of long, wooden poles that were driven into the marshy ground beneath the city. Combined with the wet conditions of the soil, the houses are simply sinking over time. Although the foundations are generally very stable, over time some houses have shifted, causing them to lurch over the canals.

CANALS IN AMSTERDAM - It's known as the "Venice of the North," according to our tour guide. Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, has more than 100 kilometers of grachten or canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings.

(Photo: One of the main canals in Amsterdam. Credit: R.G.) 

THE FAMOUS ANNE FRANK HOUSE  (Museum) - If you read the "Diary of Anne Frank" you'll know the significance of the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam.  The Diary of Anne Frank is a book of the writings from the Dutch-language diary kept by Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. For over two years (1942-1944) Anne Frank and her family hid in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263 where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, had his business.  Click for more info. (Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to tour it). 

(Photo: The Amsterdam Centraal train station. Credit: R.G.) 

THE AMSTERDAM CENTRAAL TRAIN STATION - P.J.H. Cuypers and A.L. Van Gendt were the architects commissioned to design and build it in 1875. It was built in Dutch Renaissance Style.   

(Photo: Rob and Tom outside the Royal Waiting Chamber. Credit: R.G.) 

THE ROYAL WAITING CHAMBER WITHIN - Located in the Amsterdam Centraal train station on platform 2B, a special room was constructed for Netherlands Royalty. It is located on the east wing of the railway station., and visitors can peer into it behind walls of glass. The room is decorated with the royal family's coat of arms and other ornaments referring to Queen Emma and King William III (who were in power during the construction of the train station in 1875).   There are mosaic floors, carpets, paneled walls and a fireplace. 

(Photos: Top:  the Royal Waiting Chamber; Bottom: Outside "reliefs" - stone carvings of Roman Gods. Credit: R.G.) 

This castle-like section that houses the waiting chamber was also known as the “Koninklijk Paviljoen” or the Royal Pavilion. Now it is officially called “Koningklijke Wachtkamer." (Quick Video tour: https://fb.watch/l3A6ylMqU6/) 

NEXT: The Secret of "Coffeehouses" & the Monkey Pub