Today 'Amestelledamme' turns the wonderful age of 738. Happy birthday, Amsterdam!!

Amsterdam's name derives from Amsetelledamme, referring to a dam in the river Amstel. A certificate dated on 27 October 1275 is the earliest recorded proof on the existence of Amestelledamme.  The certificate was issued by Count Floris V to the people living there, who had built a bridge with a dam across the Amstel, and exempted them from paying a bridge toll. This was an important step in the grow of the fishing village into the important trading city that it turned into two centuries later, and the wonderful city that it is today! Happy birthday Amsterdam, on to the next 738 years!