The shack in the centre of Amsterdam transformed into a home

I have always admired the Netherlands and its people for their attitude to nature, to life. A country whose territory is mostly below sea level (below sea level 0) has forests, parks, beautiful reed-covered houses, green farms where cows graze peacefully. It's like a great Venice, with canals running through the country, and the capital Amsterdam is no exception. The canals are navigable and the cities can be visited by boat. A not uncommon sight on the grand canals are boats transformed into dwellings where people live like in any other home. Such is the barge that is the subject of the article below.

Barja retired 100 years after its launch it becomes a complete home

Charlotte Johanna, for that is the name of the barge, began its journey on the water in 1908, transporting materials on the waterways of the Netherlands and other inland countries. More than 100 years after its launch it was converted into a floating home, moored on the Prinsengracht canal in the center of Amsterdam.

Access to the barge is via a gangway that connects to the canal bank. The entrance is through the room where the boat's wheelhouse used to be, now converted into a reception hall. From here, a steep staircase descends below, to the area where in the past the transported goods were stored. The doors through which materials were loaded have been replaced with skylights, so the space has become very bright, although the ceiling is quite low. Here, after passing the bathroom area, we discover the living room. In the kitchen area, where a dining island is arranged.

As we move on we reach a seating area with a sofa, armchairs, TV and a stove as a fireplace, and then the work area, where a beautiful old wooden desk sits. Following the desk are two enclosed spaces, the shower and the master bedroom. There is another bedroom on the barge, in the old captain's cabin, accessed directly from the saloon.

The living room is beautifully furnished and decorated, with light-colored wooden floors to accentuate the light, antique decorative objects, paintings, stained-glass windows. The wood that marks where the walls meet the ceiling and outlines the windows, skylights and doors is a warm cherry cherry.

Above, in front of the wheelhouse, a terrace and mini garden have been laid out. At the bottom is a metal grating to allow light through the skylights. On this terrace you can dine or sit and admire the bustling life of the Dutch capital.

You can spend a dream vacation close to the sights of Amsterdam

Choosing to live on such a barge does not seem to be very cheap. The cost of mooring, maintenance and any annual general repairs can run between €350 and €550 per month. And that's without electricity or other such utilities.

Charlotte Johanna - barge housing - can be rented for vacation. In case you decide to take a short vacation on the barge, you should know that its central location will keep you close to Amsterdam's famous entertainment spots.