This is one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam, the Gelderse kade (quay), with some good examples of the typical canal houses, The red one on the left has a so called "Stepped gable". The top of the stepped gable narrows gradually upwards.
Between 1600 and 1665 the wooden gables were rapidly replaced by stepped gables of brick. In the 17th century, the cityscape was practically defined by stepped gables. Now there are only a hundred original gagbles left.
The house next to it has a so called "Clock gable". The top of the gable is of brick in the shape of a clock with decoration of sandstone on the edges ending in lugs. These gables date from the period 1660 to 1790.
All old Amsterdam houses have a "lifting beam" on top. With a rope and a block attached to it you can hoist furnitures to the windows and get them in the house, because the stairs are to narrow to transport big furnitures up- and downstairs.
Linking to "Our World Tuesday"
Those are wonderful examples of gables and wonderful that they have survived all these years.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenPeople are ingenious; necessity is the mother of invention, I suppose! I'm referring to the means by which furniture is installed inside a home. Right now I am reading a book about the history of cycling in Amsterdam, In the City of Bikes, by Pete Jordan. Fascinating including the history of theft and reselling bikes. Wow! That is quite a racket. I'm only on chapter 3 and it is fascinating.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIt's wonderful that all those old houses still exist, and of course as Kate says it's great that someone found a way to pull the furniture up to the top floors since the stairs are so narrow!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAmsterdam is a feast for the eyes. Difficult to chose my favorite gable
BeantwoordenVerwijderenwow, i love these!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI was wondering what was behind the upper most wood door but figure that is where someone stood to hoist on the rope when lifting furniture to the apartments below. No?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenYes you are right, it is the attic where the rope and block can be attached to. Mostly two men were on the street to hoist heavy stuff up and one in a window to pull it in.
VerwijderenAmazing architecture!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThe stepped gables are a very attractive feature.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThe middle building is very attractive with a very busy design.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenBlijft altijd prachtig om te zien.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThe houses look just like Amsterdam houses. Nowhere is not the same looking. The gables are lovely. There must be rooms behind, because there are also the windows.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThese lifting beams or hooks are a great invention. I have heard about them.
I'll have to investigate why and how these stepped gables were used.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThat high first canal house has so much detail to it Beautiful. I can just see them hoisting furniture up to go in thru the windows. So pretty. The one next door is nice, but cannot compare to the first.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenNothing like that in our town of Bonners Ferry
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDearest Marianne,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThey look fabulous and rather romantic but like you already said, their narrow staircases are way too narrow for bringing in furniture. Even if a person is sick, they cannot even put them on a stretcher and carry them out into the ambulance... Lots of complications!
Love these photos, guess we have them as a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Canal House replica.
Hugs,
Mariette
Fascinating architecture! I don't believe I have ever seen gables such as these, and I love learning about the door and lifting gable for moving furniture to the upper floors. Wonderful post!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhen we visited Amsterdam I was so captivated by the gables, they are so beautiful!
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