Emperor's Lantern

The Keizersgracht, the second of the three Amsterdam's main canals that make up the canal, situated between Herengracht and Prinsengracht.
The first part of the Keizersgracht (between Brouwersgracht and (about) the current Leidsegracht was dug in the summer of 1615 at the initiative of Mayor French Hendricksz. Oetgens, town carpenter Hendrick Jacobsz Staets and city surveyor Lucas Jansz Sinck. The Keizersgracht, named after Emperor Maximilian I of the Holy Roman Empire, [1] is the widest canal in the center of Amsterdam, namely Amsterdam hundred feet, ie 28.31 meters.
In September 1614 came yet the idea to create a chic boulevard without water from the Keizersgracht example of the Hague Voorhout. Since one has as seen for several reasons. The town council suspected that wanted to reach the boat to the prospective buyers of plots their domicile or warehouse on the Keizersgracht. Other considerations were the possible need for water storage, can lead the simpler construction and embankment material but especially the shortage of embankment material. while the construction of the fortifications took a lot of embankment material.
In November 1615 the allotment on the east side was ready. The plots were 30 feet the same width as the Herengracht. The construction proceeded quickly: in 1618 there were hardly any vacant lots.
The part between the canal and the Amstel river belongs to the fourth explanation (1658). In 1663 began the actual digging of this part of the Keizersgracht. In 1667, both parts of the Keizersgracht were linked.
The part between the Amstel and the Plantage Muidergracht was built last. This section was named Nieuwe Keizersgracht.
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