You are now on Dam Square, the very spot where Amsterdam began. On this spot, around the year 1250, the people of Amsterdam built a dam across the River Amstel. Ships could sail as far as the square and then unload and trade their goods. As you can imagine, it must have been a very busy place in those days, with market stalls selling all sorts of wares: fish from the Zuiderzee, figs from Italy, spices from as far away as Africa. This square was truly the centre of Amsterdam’s trade and accordingly, it has a major part in the city’s expanding trade and growing prosperity – prosperity that led to the construction of the canal ring.

Dam Square has always been a real trading centre. And even today, the Stock Exchange is just around the corner. In former days, the central trading point was here too: the ‘waag’ or weighing-house, where all merchandise was weighed. This trading point was demolished about two hundred years ago, although many people in Amsterdam regret its disappearance. So why was the building torn down? Do the quiz via the button in the top right of the menu screen to find out.

The Royal Palace is also situated on Dam Square, but we will come to that later on this I-Tour.