Amsterdam boasts a long and rich history, boasting numerous sites and museums that span its diverse population – from Anne Frank House’s somber halls to stunning paintings by Dutch painters, there’s something here for everyone in Amsterdam.
The Montelbaanstoren stands as an icon since 1512. Additionally, this city offers many notable historic structures like Lloyd Hotel and East India House that make for fascinating visits.
The Oude Kerk
One of Amsterdam’s most impressive historical buildings, the Oude Kerk served as an anchor of religion-rich late medieval city life – offering space for prayer, celebration, marriage and burial services.
Built out of wood in the 13th Century, it has undergone many rebuilds and modifications since. Mobs raided it during 1566’s iconoclastic fervor to damage its ornate interiors; post-1578 Alteratie when the Dutch replaced Catholic government with Calvinist Protestantism led it to become Reformed Protestant Church where it still functions today.
On the right side of the main entrance you will see a bust of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1662-1621), an organist and composer who played music at this church for much of his life, eventually being interred next to Rembrandt van Rijn’s gravesite.
The Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk Museum cultivates international art and design for a broad audience, and serves as a platform for artistic production by actively supporting, showcasing and protecting it. Furthermore, it examines the role art plays within society while stimulating new developments.
As part of an effort to maintain its presence during construction, the museum launched the project “Stedelijk Goes to Town” in 2008. This allowed people to experience temporary exhibitions outside its main building.
In 2012, the Stedelijk Museum reopened following eight years of renovation and expansion work by Benthem Crouwel architects. A slick synthetic fibre extension designed by Benthem Crouwel architects was added at the back of Weismann building; popularly dubbed ‘the bathtub,” its shape fitting into an established tradition that refers to extraordinary modern structures as household objects.
The Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands’ national museum and one of the world’s premier art galleries, boasting world-renowned works from Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh amongst others.
The museum also displays more peculiar pieces. You’ll find three antique doll’s houses used as decorative furnishings by wealthy 17th-century housewives as part of their decorative scheme.
The museum features numerous interesting temporary exhibitions that are well worth viewing, from one of the biggest ever shows on Rembrandt to exciting partnerships with other leading museums.
The Rembrandt House
Rembrandt van Rijn lived and worked here from 1639 until his forced departure as a bankrupt in 1656, when it became a museum housing his extensive collection of etchings as well as works by contemporaries and pupils of his. Today it serves as an exhibit space showcasing these treasures of artistic culture.
This museum brings Rembrandt’s seventeenth century world to life through recreating many rooms from his bedroom and collection studio, to daily etching demonstrations that demonstrate his revolutionary approach to this technique. Additionally, his room includes an old printing machine just like those he would use himself! Additionally, their modern museum wing regularly showcases contemporary art.
The Heineken Experience
Heineken Experience offers visitors an interactive journey through its long and distinguished brewing history and unique process, while sampling some of its iconic beers.
Heineken Experience Ambassadors are available throughout the brewery to answer any of your queries and suggest things to do nearby. While this self-guided tour lasts 90 minutes, Heineken Experience Ambassadors can be found to provide assistance at any point along your journey.
Purchase tickets ahead of time to skip the line and enter at your scheduled time slot. When your tour is finished, enjoy two complimentary beers from Heineken Bar (where you can even customize your drink!) followed by an Amsterdam canal cruise – an unmissable experience.
