Image courtesy of Flickr user JustineTheQueen
At the Dam Square in the heart of Amsterdam, adjacent to the War Memorial and right next door to the Nieuwe Kerk, the Royal Palace Amsterdam, with its imposing domed cupola, is a striking sight.
The former town hall's official opening was in July of 1655 and had the distinction of being the largest secular building in Europe during the 17th century. In its day, it was long considered for the title of Eighth Wonder of the World.
Jacob van Campen built the Palace using Roman administrative palaces and public buildings as inspiration and paintings by Govert Flinck, Jacob Jordaens, Jan Lievens, Ferdinand Bol, and Rembrandt van Rijn adorn the interior. Artus Quellijn was the master behind the detailed sculptures. The marble floor of the main hall is decorated with two maps, one of the Eastern Hemisphere and one of the Western Hemisphere.
The dome of the Palace is topped off by a weather vane depicting a cog ship, the symbol of Amsterdam. From the windows just below the dome, one can see the ships entering and leaving the harbor.
In 1806, it became a palace under the French Empire, before the House of Oranje-Nassau returned to the Netherlands in 1813.
In the 1930s, it was determined that the palace belonged to the city of Amsterdam, and in 1934 plans were made for a comprehensive restoration of the building. However, the economic climate of the time made this an impossible task for the city of Amsterdam, so the palace was sold to the State of the Netherlands. The renovations were completed and the Royal Family was permitted permanent use of the building.
It was from the Palace's balcony that Juliana announced her daughter Beatrix to the Dutch people in 1980.
Today, it is one of three palaces throughout the Netherlands in use by the Royal Family, mostly for state visits, award ceremonies, receptions and various other official functions. The palace is also the location for the inauguration or abdication of the reigning monarch and royal weddings. It is also open to the public and has been since 1979.
After four years of additional renovations, the Palace was reopened to the public in 2009.
Twice a year, the palace hosts an exhibition. The current exhibition, Royal Awards for Modern Painting 2012, will be on display through November 5th.
An admission is charged, and guided audio tours are available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Guided tours of the chambers of the Palace by a qualified art historian are also available at additional cost. Opening hours are 12pm to 5pm Tuesdays through Sundays, except during July and August when the Palace opens at 11am.
For more information, visit the official website.
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