The cozy Jordaan district is most used in Dutch folklore and the most described and romanticized town district of the Netherlands. The French immigrants of the 17th century might have called the district Jardin, because most streets of the Jordaan are named after flowers. This Jardin was degenerated to Jorda(a)n. The wide Rozengracht divides the Jordaan district into a northern and southern part. The small streets in the Jordaan are full of fun (fashion) shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops with the craziest trinkets. The Lapjesmarkt (Patches Market) on Monday morning and the organic market on Saturday (both the Jordaan North) also attract many visitors from outside the area and even from out of town. At the head of the central Elandsgracht in Jordan South are five statues of the most famous Amsterdam folk singers - the Jordaan Pearls - whose Amsterdam popular songs are sung day in day out, especially during the annual Jordaan Festival in september. In line with the Elandsgracht the 9 streets are situated.
The Nine (small) Streets in the center of Amsterdam connect South Jordaan with the citycenter: among the Dam, Kalverstraat, Rokin and surrounding streets. This shopping area is an absolute hotspot for alternative shoppers. You can find second-hand clothing stores, vintage shops, designer boutiques and trendy clothing brands. The streets are side roads of the major canals, like the Herengracht and Keizersgracht. The streets are called Berenstraat, Gasthuismolensteeg, Hartenstraat, Huidenstraat, Oude Spiegelstraat, Reestraat, Runstraat, Wijde Heisteeg and Wolvenstraat. In the 17th century the streets were already known for its many craft and commercial matters.