Situated on Amsterdam’s predominant sq., the Dam, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam is among the metropolis’s main highlights. Constructed within the seventeenth century because the Metropolis Corridor, the constructing has an enchanting historical past. On the time of its development, it was thought-about the “Eighth Surprise of the World.” Proceed studying to be taught extra in regards to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam and ideas for visiting it.
Royal Palace in Amsterdam
Typically overshadowed by the extra well-known museums in Amsterdam, the Royal Palace is a good place to go to and find out about each the historical past of Amsterdam and the Dutch Royal household. It’s the most important constructing from the seventeenth century, making it one of many websites you shouldn’t miss whereas within the Dutch capital.
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Historical past of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam
The Royal Palace is one among three official royal palaces utilized by the Dutch Royal Household, and it’s the just one situated in Amsterdam. The opposite two are located in The Hague.
Apparently, the Royal Palace was not initially constructed as a palace. It was constructed because the Metropolis Corridor of Amsterdam in 1656 after the previous medieval Metropolis Corridor burned down. This constructing symbolises the ability that Amsterdam wielded within the seventeenth century, making it one of the vital necessary cities on the planet at the moment.
The constructing was commissioned by Amsterdam mayor Nicolaes Tulp. Chances are you’ll know him from one among Rembrandt’s Anatomy Classes, which he painted in De Waag. The well-known portray is displayed on the Mauritshuis in The Hague in the present day.
The constructing was designed by one of the vital well-known architects of that point, Jacob van Campen. With a facade measuring 79 meters large and 55 meters excessive, it was one of many largest buildings in Europe for a few years. Even earlier than it was constructed, the constructing was already thought-about the “Eighth Surprise of the World”.
For the subsequent 150 years, it served as a Metropolis Corridor till Napoleon conquered the Netherlands and appointed his brother, Louis Bonaparte, because the Dutch King.
In 1808, the brand new king moved his court docket to Amsterdam after initially ruling the Kingdom of Holland from The Hague and Utrecht. King Louis transformed the general public rooms of the Metropolis Corridor into the primary museum of the Netherlands whereas utilizing the remainder of the constructing for his court docket. He even added a small balcony overlooking Dam Sq. and repurposed the basement cells into wine cellars.
After the Oranje-Nassau household started ruling the Netherlands, they determined to proceed utilizing the constructing as a royal palace. Nonetheless, the household resides primarily of their palace in The Hague.
At this time, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam is reserved for particular occasions and official receptions, significantly for overseas state representatives.
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Tips on how to go to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam
The Royal Palace is open to guests at any time when attainable, though entry is restricted whereas the Dutch Royal Household is in residence. Guests can discover galleries and rooms, be taught in regards to the palace’s historical past, and admire numerous artworks on show.
An audio tour is included within the entrance ticket (I included a hyperlink to them later on this article), and you’ll select between a shorter or longer tour. I loved listening to explanations and studying extra in regards to the historical past of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
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Royal Palace in Amsterdam Highlights
Although each nook of the Royal Palace is fascinating and delightful, listed here are some must-see highlights:
Residents’ Corridor – The principle gallery of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam is one among its highlights. Together with stone representations of the world, the 6-metre-tall Atlas statue, and the Amsterdam Maiden, this room is full of great particulars.
Govert Flinck and Ferdinand Bol’s work – These two college students of one of the vital well-known Dutch painters of all time, Rembrandt van Rijn, created work by which they informed the story of Amsterdam.
Empire furnishings – When Louis Bonaparte grew to become the Dutch King and transformed the Metropolis Corridor into the Royal Palace, he refurbished it with furnishings in French style. A number of authentic Empire furnishings remains to be on show throughout the palace, making it the most important assortment of its form exterior of France.
Tribunal – With its marble statues made by sculptor Artus Quellinus, the Tribunal is among the rooms you shouldn’t miss in Amsterdam’s Royal Palace. That a part of the palace additionally has a grim historical past, as a result of it was the place the dying sentences had been pronounced whereas the constructing served as a metropolis corridor.
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Shocking info in regards to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam
- The Royal Palace in Amsterdam was constructed on 13,659 wood poles, stopping it from sinking into the swampy Amsterdam soil. They had been introduced from Norway.
- The darkish gray facade of the constructing was a lot lighter initially. Nonetheless, a lightweight yellow stone acquired a lot darker due to all of the grime and air air pollution it absorbed all through the centuries.
Helpful information for visiting the Royal Palace in Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
Tackle: Dam 1, Amsterdam
Entrance tickets: Guide your on-line tickets by this hyperlink.
Momentary exhibitions: The Amsterdam Royal Palace is residence to some fascinating short-term exhibitions. Try their official web site at this hyperlink to see what’s on show throughout your go to.
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The Royal Palace is a singular place in Amsterdam and a spot you shouldn’t miss throughout your go to to the Dutch capital. From its structure, artworks on show, to its historical past, it provides one thing for everybody.
Cowl photograph by Frans Ruiter on Unsplash
