On a small tablet in Dam Square, the legend of Sinterklaas is shown in detail: it begins with three poor children who were robbed and killed by the owner of an inn. They were cut into pieces and kept under salt in a barrel, until seven years later Saint Nicholas came to the inn and was served the children for supper. Using his powers, he brought them back, giving them a new chance at life. He became a patron saint of butchers.
Another story goes that the three young daughters of a poor nobleman had no money for dowries of marriage, and were forced into prostitution. Walking past their windows one night, Nicholas saw one of the sister crying, and gave her a sack of gold coins. He returned the following night to give the same amount to other sisters, freeing them from a red light life and into their marriage of choice. He became the protecting saint of young unmarried women.
Happy Sinterklaas! The day of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of Amsterdam.
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