Singels

Singels are ring-shaped waterways that surround a city center in the Netherlands and, in some cases, parts of Belgium. The term singel is Dutch, and its plural singels is used to refer to multiple such canals. A singel typically forms a belt of water, often lined with trees and historic houses, and may function as a promenade or thoroughfare along the waterfront.

Historically, singels served water management, defensive, and urban planning purposes. They helped drain surrounding land, provided flood protection, and created a controlled perimeter around a city’s core. Many singels are remnants of early modern efforts to organize space around growing urban centers while maintaining access to water for trade and transport.

The most famous example is Amsterdam’s Singel, the innermost canal of the city’s historic canal belt. Constructed during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, it runs along the inner edge of the center and connects to the other major canals—Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht—that form a roughly rectangular ring around the historic core.

Today, singels remain important urban landmarks. They are often preserved as scenic routes with canal houses, sidewalks, and bike paths, contributing to the city’s historic character. While they retain their aesthetic and recreational value, many singels also continue to support drainage and water management within modern urban infrastructure.

See also: Canals of the Netherlands; Canal belt; Urban planning in the Netherlands.