The Amsterdammertje: Amsterdam's Iconic Street Bollard

The Amsterdammertje is a small bollard you will spot on pavements throughout the city. It stands on the sidewalk to prevent cars from parking on the pavement and serves as a clear boundary between the sidewalk and the road. During a canal cruise through Amsterdam, you will see these distinctive little posts here and there.

A brief history

In the 18th century, facades of corner houses were often damaged by carts and carriages cutting corners too tightly. To protect their homes, residents placed cannon barrels along the kerb, filled with sand and topped with a cannonball. These were the predecessors of the Amsterdammertje.

The first Amsterdammertje

The first bollard as we know it today appeared around 1870 at the entrance of the Begijnhof. The bollards are now reddish-brown, though they have not always been this colour. The first ones were dark, then white for a while. Since 1903, they carry the three St. Andrew's crosses from Amsterdam's coat of arms, giving them their name.

A fading icon

In 1984, around 100,000 Amsterdammertjes stood in the city. With modern parking enforcement, they are no longer strictly needed. The city follows a phase-out policy. When streets are redesigned, the bollards are not replaced. Those that remain are a piece of living history.

See Amsterdam from the water

During a canal cruise with Floating Amsterdam, you sail through the canals in a fully electric open boat. You will spot Amsterdammertjes and many more details that make this city so special. Your captain shares the stories while you relax with a drink. Ask about the possibilities and experience Amsterdam from a unique perspective.