Page 246 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

244  FR ANCE AND THE L OW C OUNTRIES

6 Nieuwe Kerk
Dam. Tel 020-638 6909. v 1, 2, 4, 5
& many others. Open daily during
exhibitions; see website for details.
& 7 - = ∑ nieuwekerk.nl
Dating from the late 14th
century, Amsterdam’s second
parish church was built as the
population outgrew the Oude
Kerk (see p242). During its
turbulent history, the Nieuwe
Kerk (New Church) has been
destroyed by fire, rebuilt, and
then stripped of its treasures
after the Alteration of 1578,
when the Calvinists took civil
power. It eventually reached its The splendid Classical facade of the 17th-century Koninklijk Paleis
present size in the 1650s.
Albert Vinckenbrinck’s The Classical design by Jacob historical museum. Today,
flamboyant carved pulpit (1664) van Campen (1595–1657) some of the museum’s
is the focal point of the church reflects the city’s mood of exhibitions also focus on
interior, reflecting the Protestant confidence after the Dutch contemporary Amsterdam.
belief that the sermon is central victory. Civic pride is also shown At the core of the collection
to worship. Other notable in the allegorical sculptures by is a 45-minute historical tour
features include Jacob van Artus Quellien (1609–68), which of the city called “Amsterdam
Campen’s ornate Great Organ decorate the pediments, and DNA.” This explores Amsterdam’s
(1645) and, in the apse, the tomb in François Hemony’s statues four main characteristics: spirit of
of the famous 17th-century and carillon. enterprise, freedom of thought,
commander-in-chief of the Inside, the full magnificence civic virtue, and creativity. Key
Dutch Navy, Admiral de Ruyter of the architecture is best moments from the city’s history
(1607–76), by Rombout Verhulst. appreciated in the huge are explored chronologically,
Burgerzaal (Citizens’ Hall). Based and there are displays featuring
on the assembly halls touch-sensitive multimedia
of ancient Rome, screens showing animations
this 29 m (95 ft) and film footage.
high room runs the Also contributing to the
length of the building, museum’s detailed account of
and boasts a superb Amsterdam’s history are such
marble floor, as well fascinating items as a globe
as epic sculptures belonging to the famous
Rombout Verhulst’s memorial to Michiel de Ruyter in the by Quellien. Most of cartographer Willem Blaeu and
apse of the Nieuwe Kerk the furniture on a 1648 model of the Koninklijk
display dates from Paleis, designed by Jacob van
7 Koninklijk Paleis 1808, when Louis Bonaparte Campen (1595–1657).
took over the building as his Amsterdam’s wealth from
Dam. Tel 020-620 4060. v 1, 2, 4, 5
& many others. Open usually Tue–Sun royal palace. trade attracted many artists,
(daily Jul–Sep) but check website for who chronicled the era in great
latest information. Closed public 8 Amsterdam detail. There are paintings of the
hols and when King in residence. Museum city and the port, as well as
& 8 check website. 7 portraits of both prominent and
∑ paleisamsterdam.nl Kalverstraat 92, St. Luciensteeg 27. ordinary citizens. The paintings
Tel 020-523 1822. v 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 & of anatomy lessons include one
The Koninklijk Paleis, still used many others. Open daily. Closed Apr by Rembrandt, The Anatomy
occasionally by the Dutch royal 27, Dec 25. & 8 7 - = Lesson of Dr. Jan Deijman (1656).
family for official functions, was ∑ amsterdammuseum.nl This shows the dissection of
built as the Stadhuis (Town “Black Jan,” a convicted criminal
Hall). Work began on this vast The convent of St. Lucien who had been hanged.
sandstone edifice in 1648, after was turned into a civic In the Civic Guards’ Gallery,
the end of the 80 Years’ War orphanage in the latter half contemporary group portraits
with Spain. It dominated its of the 16th century. The hang between their 17th-
surroundings, and more than original red-brick convent was century counterparts,
13,600 piles were driven into enlarged over the years, and emphasizing Amsterdam’s
the ground for the foundations. in 1975 it opened as the city’s cultural diversity.
For hotels and restaurants see p260 and p261

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