Historical Site and Churches

Amsterdam’s 17^th century neoclassical Royal Palace served as the city’s town hall for many years. It was first used as a palace during Napoleon’s rule, when his brother Louis Bonaparte was the king of the Netherlands. Since the throne returned to the Dutch House of Orange (Williams of Orange’s descendants), it has been the royal palace for the reigning monarch, though few of them have ever actually lived there. Several of the rooms are available for tour, most notably the Citizens’ Hall, Burgomasters’ Chambers, and the Council Room.  

 

Amsterdam has three historic churches you can tour. Nieuwe Kerk is located across from the Royal Palace. It is late Gothic in style and since 1815 all the Dutch monarchs have been crowned there. Oude Kerk is the city’s oldest church, dating back to the 13^th century. Ironically enough, it is now located directly in the heart of the Red Light District. Westerkerk is a showplace of the Dutch Renaissance style. At the top of its 275-foot tower (which you can climb) is a replica of the imperial crown of Maximilian of Austria. Rembrandt’s grave is located somewhere in the church, though no one knows exactly where.