Light decorations on Spiegelgracht canal, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Still waters, bright lights. Spiegelgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Have you ever wondered how canals changed the way cities developed? For thousands of years, people have built canals to transport goods, control water flow and connect places. From ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to medieval Europe, they transformed cities like Venice and Bruges into trade hubs. The Netherlands took this even further—by the 17th century, they were designing waterways that shaped cities such as Amsterdam.

It's no wonder Amsterdam is nicknamed the 'Venice of the North.' The city's 96.5-kilometre-long network of canals forms part of the UNESCO-listed Canal District. Mostly flanked by roads on both sides, these routes are now used for tourism and recreation. In the centre of the city is the Spiegelgracht canal, seen in today's image. It is famous for its art galleries, antique shops and serene reflections that inspired its name, 'Mirror Canal.' As night falls, bridges and trees glow with festive lights, their reflections shimmering across the calm water. With Christmas just around the corner, these canals resemble glowing strings of history—proof that the past still shines bright in the present.