Hooks in Amsterdam

Do you know why many buildings on the canals of Amsterdam have hooks protruding from the facades at roof-height? Did you know that many buildings in Amsterdam even had hooks?

Buildings in the city are so narrow that moving furniture to apartments can be incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible.

Rather than navigate tiny stairwells and narrow hallways, city residents use hijsbalk — building hooks — to hoist their furniture into their apartments through their window.