This apartment will offer you insight into the history of Amsterdam itself. It was built over 400 years ago and still boasts many of its original characteristics. The Authentic Jordaan is located on the Binnen Wieringerstraat, in the historic centre of Amsterdam. Not much can be found about this nameless house in the archives of Amsterdam. It is built against the old sea dike that protected Amsterdam in the times before the Oranjesluis or the Aflsuitdijk were built.

On one side of this charming little street connects to the Brouwersgracht (Brewers canal) and on the other side it connects to the Haarlemmerstraat. This historic house was built around 1620. It is one of the few houses that still boast its original gable, which is a classical renaissance crow-stepped gable; this is a stair-step type of design at the top of the triangular gable-end of a building.

Not only the gable is still original, the interior with its solid oak beams as well as the steep staircases are original. It is not hard to imagine a Dutch merchant family doing business from this very location.

From the hallway the first set of stairs leads to the first floor of the house. Every room in the house has its own adjustable radiators, it is quite easy to keep this house warm and comfortable in winter. As each room also has windows, it is quite easy to create a nice breeze in the house making it more comfortable in the summer (average temp 22 C or 72 F). There are also fans available on the rare summer days that it is actually tropical.

On the first floor is the living/dining/kitchen. This floor has a beautiful wooden floor as well as beams supporting the floor above. In the front (street side) of this floor there is a spacious living area with sofa’s and widescreen SMART TV. This is a great area to relax.

Away from the street there is a large dining table in the back of this floor. You will find an open kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped including a fridge, dishwasher, oven, microwave, kettle, coffeemaker and so on.

It is not hard to imagine enjoying a spending an evening with a good diner and equally good conversations at the dining table with dimmed light shining from the chandelier. With ample heating present, the smells from the kitchen and friends swapping stories at the table, this is typically what the Dutch will call “gezellig”. The word “gezellig” is considered to be an example of untranslatability, and is one of the hardest words to translate. Some consider the word to encompass the heart of Dutch culture.

The back-house is a more recent addition to the building and is most likely only 200 years old.