According to its legend, the city was first founded in the 13th century by two Frisian fishermen, who landed on the shores of the Amstel river. The
damming of the river gave the village its name, Amsterdam. Today the capital of the Netherlands is very well known for its amazing diversity of cultural and historical attractions and its liberal attitudes.
The city has fascinating museums, unique art collections, stunning architecture and attractive canals that stretch across kilometers.
Amsterdam has numerous outstanding museums, including the Stedelijk Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Rembrandt House Museum. The Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of this famous artist's work in the world. The Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht is where the Jewish diarist hid during World War II, and is worth a visit. Her diary is among the original objects on display.
Most of the early buildings did not survive, except the Old Church (Oude Kerk) with its famous little houses on the sides, the New Church (Neuwe Kerk) or the Wooden House (Houten Huis). Most of the historical center of Amstedam was built during the Golden Age in the 17th-18th centuries, when Amsterdam was one of the wealthiest cities in the world. This is the period when famous buildings were built, like the classical Royal Palace on Damplein, the Westerkerk, the Crowned Turnip (De Gecroonde Raep), and the Dolphin (Dolfijn)
A great way to see the city's best sights is by taking a boat tour of the famous canals like the Emperor's Canal (Keizersgracht ) or the Prince's canal (Prinsengracht ). Other small canals intersect these main canals, dividing Amsterdam into a number of islands, and nearly 1,400 bridges cross the waterways of this beautiful capital city. This is why Amstedam is also known as 'Venice of the North'.
Amsterdam is one of Europe's premier party cities. Its nightlife, with its bustling cafes ,clubs, restaurants, bars, theaters and cinemas, is centered around the Jordaan, the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. Many tourists go for the famous Red Light District, with its legalized prostitution, light drugs and sex shops.