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Traditional founding of the city of Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a long and eventful history. The origins of the city lie around 1000 CE, when inhabitants settled at the mouth of the Amstel and began peatland reclamation.

Amsterdam has a long and eventful history. The origins of the city lie around 1000 CE, when inhabitants settled at the mouth of the Amstel and began peatland reclamation. After the All Saints' Flood (1170), a dam was built in the Amstel to protect the lower lands from floods.

In 1275, Amsterdam was granted a toll privilege by Count Floris V which exempted it from a bridge toll. This made Amsterdam popular for international traders to sell goods at lower prices. During the Middle Ages, it developed into one of the largest trading cities in the world. The 17th century was a Golden Age, Amsterdam was the most important trading hub in Europe and the leading financial center of the western world. Amsterdam is colloquially called the "Venice of the North" for its numerous canals.

Historical Significance

Amsterdam has a long and eventful history.

Events Before

  1. Count Rudolf van Habsburg becomes the first King of the Germans

    The House of Habsburg, also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and European influenced polities.

  2. Around 1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army land on the Japanese island of Tsushima in the first attack of Kublai Khan's Mo

    Around 1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army land on the Japanese island of Tsushima in the first attack of Kublai Khan's Mongol invasion of Japan

  3. Second Council of Lyon (14th ecumenical council) opens, convened by Pope Gregory X

    The Second Council of Lyon was the fourteenth ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, convoked on 31 March 1272 and convened in Lyon, Kingdom of Arles (in modern France), in 1274.

  4. Mongol army lands at Hakata Bay in Japan during their first invasion attempt and are defeated; a typhoon destroys most o

    Mongol army lands at Hakata Bay in Japan during their first invasion attempt and are defeated; a typhoon destroys most of their fleet as they withdraw

  5. Thomas Aquinas dies

    Thomas Aquinas, Dominican dominican theologian and philosopher, known for italian dominican theologian and philosopher, died on 1274-03-07. Thomas Aquinas ( ə-KWY-nəs; Italian: Tommaso d'Aquino, lit.

Events After

  1. French Cardinal Pierre de Tarantaise elected head of the Catholic Church, takes the name of Pope Innocent V

    Pope Innocent V (Latin: Innocentius V; c. 1225 – 22 June 1276), born Pierre de Tarentaise, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 January to 22 June 1276.

  2. Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City

    Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City

  3. Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral

    Magnus Ladulås is crowned King of Sweden in Uppsala Cathedral

  4. While taking exile in Fuzhou, southern China, from advancing Mongol invaders, remnants of the Song Dynasty court hold co

    While taking exile in Fuzhou, southern China, from advancing Mongol invaders, remnants of the Song Dynasty court hold coronation ceremony for young prince Zhao Shi, making him Emperor Duanzong of Song

  5. John XXI [Peter Juliani] is elected Pope, the only Portuguese Pope

    Pope John XXI (Latin: Ioannes XXI, Italian: Giovanni XXI, Portuguese: João XXI; c. 1215 – 20 May 1277), born Pedro Julião (Latin: Petrus Iulianus), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the...

More from the 1270s

Mongolian victory at the naval Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China

The Battle of Yamen, also known as the Battle of Yashan, was a naval battle which took place in southern China on 19 March 1279.

BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty

BC Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great becomes Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty

Around 1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army land on the Japanese island of Tsushima in the first attack of Kublai Khan's Mo

Around 1,000 soldiers of the Mongol army land on the Japanese island of Tsushima in the first attack of Kublai Khan's Mongol invasion of Japan

Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of Nichiren Buddhism, inscribes the Dai-Gohonzon

Nichiren was a Japanese Buddhist monk and philosopher of the Kamakura period. His teachings form the basis of Nichiren Buddhism, a unique branch of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism based on the Lotus...

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 27, 1275?
Amsterdam has a long and eventful history. The origins of the city lie around 1000 CE, when inhabitants settled at the mouth of the Amstel and began peatland reclamation. After the All Saints' Flood (1170), a dam was built in the Amstel to protect the lower lands from floods.
Why is Traditional founding of the city of Amsterdam significant?
Amsterdam has a long and eventful history.

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October 27 in HistoryYear 1275