Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century. Amsterdam developed round a dam in the Amstel river at the end of the 12th century. The name Amstelledamme occurs for the first time in the toll concession of Floris V, Count of Holland, dated October 27, 1275.
How did they build Amsterdam?
Yes – Amsterdam was built on water. More substantively, the city was built on piles – large wooden stakes that are driven into the ground. The piles (or the stilts) are driven in the clay, pear and water until they reach the first layer of solid sand. They are literally a foundation for all Amsterdam's buildings.
How was Amsterdam built below sea level?
Periodic floods occurred for many years and this is why many canals were built (most of them in the 16th century). All those works against inundation caused that Amsterdam moved a bit lower. Currently, it's located almost 2 meters under sea level. All those resulted in how buildings in Amsterdam are constructed.
