Amsterdam - Amsterdam Bruges and Brussels - page 55

The tour guide, who speaks in English and Dutch, tells of the
church and its carillon. Only six people are allowed at a time (it's
first-come, first-served), so lines can be long (€6, 30 min, depar-
tures on the half hour, April-Oct Mon-Sat 10:00-17:30, last tour
leaves at 17:30, closed Sun and Nov-March, call 020/689-2565 for
info and to arrange private tour).
Central Amsterdam, near Dam Square
Royal Palace (Koninklijk Huis) —he palace, reopening to the
public in June of 2009, is right on Dam Square. It was built as a
lavish City Hall for Amsterdam, when the country was a proud
new republic and Amsterdam was the richest city on the planet—
awash in profit from trade. When constructed in 1648, this build-
ing was one of Europe's finest, with a sumptuous interior. Today,
it's the official (but not actual) residence of the queen (price and
hours not yet set, tel. [phone], www.paleisamsterdam.nl).
J See Amsterdam City Walk, page 69.
New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) —Barely newer than the “Old”
Church (located in the Red Light District), this 15th-century
sanctuary has an intentionally dull interior, after the decoration
was removed by 16th-century iconoclastic Protestants seeking to
unclutter their communion with God. This is where many Dutch
royal weddings and all coronations take place. There's a steep
entrance fee to see the rotating, temporary exhibitions, but you
can pop in to look at the vast interior if no exhibitions are going
on (€10; May-July daily 10:00-17:00—sometimes until 18:00 for
exhibitions; Aug-April daily 10:00-18:00, Thu until 22:00; on
Dam Square, info tel. [phone], tel. [phone], www
.nieuwekerk.nl).
J See Amsterdam City Walk, page 69.
s Begijnhof —Stepping into this tiny, idyllic courtyard in the
city center, you escape into the charm of old Amsterdam. Notice
house #34, a 500-year-old wooden structure (rare, since repeated
fires taught city fathers a trick called brick). Peek into the hidden
Catholic church, dating from the time when post-Reformation
Dutch Catholics couldn't worship in public. It's opposite the
English Reformed church, where the Pilgrims worshipped while
waiting for their voyage to the New World (marked by a plaque
near the door). Be considerate of the people who live around the
courtyard (free, daily 8:00-17:00, on Begijnensteeg lane, just off
Kalverstraat between #130 and #132, pick up flier at office near
entrance, for more details, see Amsterdam City Walk, page 69).
ss Amsterdam History Museum (Amsterdams Historisch
Museum) —Follow the city's growth from fishing village to world
trade center to hippie haven. Housed in a 500-year-old former
orphanage, this creative and hardworking museum features