Oudezijds Voorburgwal Amsterdam. This oldest canal of Amsterdam, was dug between 1342 and 1380. The part left of the Damstraat used to be called Fluwelen Burgwal (Velvet Rampart), referring to the wealthy families that lived here, usually dressed in velvet. Almost all the houses have been restored to their original state. A beautiful example is the ‘Huis aan de drie grachten’ (House on the three canals), at the end of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, with a gable stone that mentions the name Fluwelen Burgwal. The house has three beautiful step gables, one on each canal. Through time many different gables were developed.