The historic Lastage district with the Nieuwmarkt in its centre
Amsterdam with the Lastage district (in green),
on a map from 1482 and the corresponding points of interest on a modern map.
​The two maps don't seem to correspond, because on older maps the North/South axis was generally represented upside down.
Originally, the Amstel river (11) had been able to flow along its entire length above ground and through the Damrak into the IJ (5). The double row of poles in the large waterway in the North of the city, with the numerous ships around it, was called "De Laag" (12).
The Geldersekade (2) canal, located near the actual train station, was originally part of a defense line that, together with the Kloveniersburgwal (4) and the Singel (6), formed a natural barrier around the city. The Geldersekade is one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam and was built at the end of the 15th century. After new city walls were built, the “Kade” (quay) lost its purpose as a fortress moat. To the East of it, the Lastage urban area gradually formed, and is nowadays a residential area, known as the "Nieuwmarktbuurt". It is bordered in the Northwest by the Geldersekade, in the Southeast by the Oudeschans (7) and in the Northeast, on the South edge of the Oosterdok (10), by the actual Prins Hendrikkade (8).
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In the late 16th century, the Lastage was an important industrial and port area in Amsterdam. At that time it was still located outside the city walls, protected by the Montelbaanstoren (9) watchtower from possible attacks from the sea. At the northern end, near the Oosterdok, the tower, named Schreierstoren (1), served as a starting point for the sailing ships. In 1585, when a new fortress wall was built, the Lastage came to lie within the city.
The Lastage, as well as the adjacent island of Uilenburg and the peninsulas of Rapenburg and Marken (later Valkenburg), originally served as storage quarters for goods and raw materials.
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Due to the strategic location on the eastern edge of the city, surrounded by canals and the banks of the IJ, it was an ideal location for rope makers, carpenters, tar workers and blacksmiths. In the end, mostly everything related to shipbuilding. Furthermore, being far from the centre, regulations were less strict and most of all, taxes were low.
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To defend the area from being attacked, fortifications were set in place. Therefore also the name "Oude Schans", which means "old entrenchment". The danger was real, as enemy troops had already ravaged the Lastage, including the use of fires.
Because of the rapid population growth, the urban area around the Lastage was continually expanded at the end of the 16th century. From that point on, the first residential lodgings appeared.
After 4 major extensions, the city has multiplied its surface
As early as the beginning of the 17th century, the city walls of the Lastage were torn down to make room for the further expansion of the city. A part of the Kloveniersburgwal, which served as a ditch for city defence, was drained. This created a spacious area that was used as a market square, hence the name Nieuwmarkt (3) (New Market).
Print from around 1600 of Sint Antoniespoort
The actual "De Waag" at the Nieuwmarkt
The city gate (Sint Antoniespoort), which was originally part of the castle complex, was rebuilt in 1617 and from then on used to weigh trading goods. This custom was common in many cities in the Netherlands at the time. The historical print above shows the city gate ar, shortly before the structural changes. After its transformation, the striking brick building, with its many pointed towers, was named “De Waag” (The Scales).
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Because the city's boundaries were expanded to the East, De Waag was now centrally located. Nowadays the large square is a well-known tourist magnet, with numerous cafes and restaurants, as well as goods and a food market. De Waag, which now houses a restaurant, is the oldest non-religious building still in existence in the city.