Vrankrijck

The better graffiti-work on a squatted house in the Spuistraat.

Despite efforts by the national government to legally forbid squatting, Amsterdam's squatters' community still seems to be holding strong. In some areas, squatters have even opened bars in their occupied houses, offering consumptions for fair prices. Without being a squatter myself (I feel a lot more secure paying rent), I have met quite some people who live in a house they 'occupied'. These people were always open-minded and decent, and I support their motives for squatting wholeheartedly (it's really difficult to find an appartment or a room within the city, while on the other hand, many houses have been empty for years). However, some violent incidents with squatters have given the community a bad name. One of the incidents took place in Vrankrijck, the house you can see on the photo. A squatter attacked someone in there, and later refused access to the rescue units who came to save the victim's life. The victim did not survive. As you can see, this is truely a house with a story.

Sint Antoniebreestraat

Picture taken in the St. Antoniebreestraat, in the east-side of the center.

Although the St. Antoniebreestraat definitely forms part of the old city of Amsterdam, you won't find many classical buildings in this street. Several decades ago the city council had the plan to destroy half of the old town to create a network of modern highways and metro-rails to ensure a better connection with the rest of the country. However, protest against the plans was so heavy that the council eventually cancelled the project. One of the first streets to be 'adapted' to the new plan was the St. Antoniebreestraat. Graffities and abundant colour-use on the façades do make the street look lively, though!