Singel

The canal runs from the IJ bay, near the Central Station, to the Muntplein square, where it meets the Amstel river.

The name is related to the Dutch word omsingelen, "to surround", and comes ultimately from Latin cingulum, meaning "belt".

Yab Yum, one of Amsterdam's most exclusive brothels until closed by the local authority in January 2008, was located at Singel 295.

The Singel is lined by many beautiful, richly decorated canal houses built during the Dutch Golden Age.

Notable buildings along the canal include: The Haringpakkerstoren tower was part of Amsterdam's Medieval city defenses.

Stalls of the Bloemenmarkt (flower market) floating in the Singel.
The Ronde Lutherse Kerk ("Round Lutheran Church").
The Munttoren seen from the Singel, postcard from 1900.
The Singel Bridge at the Paleisstraat in Amsterdam , painting by Breitner , c. 1897.
A bird's eye view of Amsterdam circa 1544, encircled by the Singel (right side), woodcut by Cornelis Anthonisz .