The modern wing and underground passage provide additional exhibition space with multimedia presentations. The beautiful canal house at 40 Oudezijds Voorburgwal has a secret: a hidden church in the attic! Admission to all exhibits is15 for adults (over 12) or2.50 for Museumkaart holders; the I Amsterdam City Card allows free admission. Never miss a post! There are special touches throughout the museum, I loved how they put prickly dried thistle flowers on the chairs instead of signs warning not to sit! Those three should of course be the priority, but if youre in the city for more than a couple of days, there are many other, less well-known museums that are definitely worth a visit. f youve started planning your trip, you likely have the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House already on your list. All his artworks are curated in a chronological order, which helps to understand how Van Goghs painting has developed over the years. The Little Street) by Johannes Veneer, The Threatened Swan by Jan Asselijn, etc. Today it is the second longest serving museum of the city, after the Rijksmuseum, which has been the citys pride ever since 1808. Whenever family and friends visit me in Amsterdam, I always bring them to one of my favorite local secrets: a hidden church in Amsterdam. (Included in Holland Pass (Gold), Museumkaart, I Amsterdam Card.) Mass was not allowed, however technically, people could celebrate their faith however they like in private. The museum is located near the red light district on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal not far from Oudekerk. If youre just visiting, this hidden church is included in the iAmsterdam card. This article was first published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Our Lord in the Attic is a small museum a bit off the beaten path. Public Catholic services were officially forbidden from the late 16th century after the Protestants took power in 1578. | Hours:9 am 5 pm| Open Google Map for Rijksmuseum Location. There were original marble floors and a short complicated corner oak staircase with concave and convex steps nearly 400 years old. The museum offers multi-language audio guides for free. However, the museum has a few Selfie Walls for your Instagram photos. On the second floor Hartman installed his reception room, for that time an extravagantly decorated gathering room, today to admire just like in its former glory. The audio guide is helpful to understand what you want to pay attention to and listen to the story. As you will be walking on the original floors, youre required to put on shoe covers, so Id recommend wearing closed toe shoes to make it easier to wear these shoe covers. But if youve started planning your trip, you likely have the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House already on your list. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10.00 17.00 and Sundays and public holidays 13.00 17.00. I enjoy visiting new places Ive never been to and learning new things. Yay! New Yorkerborn and raised. The tour is given in Dutch, English, French and German. In just a decade the museum almost doubled the visitor numbers to the current 90,000 yearly admirers. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Museum Our Lord in the Attic here, if available. Everyone is welcome to use the library. (LogOut/ Our Lord in the Attic Museum is the second oldest museum in Amsterdam after Rijksmuseum. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It is a simple strategy that everyone seems to know; yet, it still works because most people will not follow through. | Admission: 19.50 at the door, 15.50 online. The architecture invites natural light to come in through the glass roof, which highlights hanging sculptors and stainless glass windows. Although the famous I Amsterdam Letters have been removed, a small park in front of the museum is also an excellent place to stroll, sit on a bench, or enjoy a water fountain. The church itself is a beautiful example of a Dutch church with its marble pillars and bright pink paint on the various rails. I stick to one museum per day. When I visited, select handbags were on sale up to 40% off. Im guessing thats why the museum allows visitors to take photos. If you are visiting the museum with the Museumkaart, I Amsterdam Card, Holland Pass, or Amsterdam Pass, just show your pass. There is also a booth outside of the museum in the Museumplein selling the replica of Van Gogh paintings and related souvenirs. Then in 1813 Russian forces helped drive the French from the country. Looking for secret, hidden locations? I enjoy visiting new places Ive never been to and learning new things. The Op Solder church dates back to 1663 having been built by wealthy Catholic merchant Jan Hartman (1619-1668) who lived in the house with his family. A cute cafe in the museum offers afternoon tea. While many of the 50,000 visitors cruising around the city opt for the big venues like the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, the night is also a great opportunity to discover something new, a chance to discover the unexpected. Even if you have a museumkaart or I Amsterdam Card, you have to exchange with the paper ticket unless you booked your time slot online. The etching presentations are offered every day from10:15 am to 1:15 pm, and from1:45 pm to 4:45 pm; the painting preparation demonstration, which takes place in the painting studio pictured above, takes place from10:15 am to 17:10 pm. When I visited in July, it was far less crowded than the Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House. The museum is not crowded at all, so I dont see the need to sweat unless you prefer to plan out your itinerary to the T. I would plan to swing by when there is an extra hour in between. The dramatic masterpiece by Rembrandt is one of the most famous Dutch Golden Age paintings. Karen. It was entertaining and educational to understand how Van Goghs arts have developed/changed throughout his lives. I wandered around rooms to rooms; from reception hall with sunken ceiling panels passing by a 350-year-old kitchen, to the day room and sleeping quarters, strolling along narrow corridors going floors after floors and finally up the steep staircase which lead up to the church in the attic. Please dont. This site contains affiliate links. 2003-var year = new Date(); document.write(year.getFullYear()); Theres also a reduced price for those that only wish to visit certain exhibitions. All of the museums I mentioned in this post are covered with Museumkaart(Dutch museum pass), including the Anne Frank House tickets. Something that I would recommend knowing is to avoid wearing open toe shoes. Interested in Other Amsterdam Museums? Order the Iamsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance to the Op Solder Museum, Museum Ons Lieve Heer op Solder, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38, 1012 GD Amsterdam T: +31(0)20 624 6604, opsolder.nl. (LogOut/ Meneer Hartman was the one to build this hidden church in the upper floorsof the three buildings. If you prefer an audio guide, you can rent it for 5. I have stepped back in time!! Even if you have any pass that gives you a free pass to Van Gogh Museum, Photography of the exhibit is not allowed. For this post Ive selected my top 5 favorites: Museum Ons Lieve Heer op Solder, Museum Van Loon, Rembrandt House Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, and Micropia. The name translates toMuseum Our Lord in the Attic, which is an odd name but one that perfectly suites this unusual museum. More information can be found ontheir website. Moco is a perfect small-size museum for people who are interested in pop arts. The lobby wall projects enlarged paintings in the rotation that you can photograph as you like. Sitting down in the benches and absorbing the impressions is almost bizarre, especially after entering the place just like any other Amsterdam apartment we who live here are familiar with. The Museum of Bags and Purses sits in a 1660s canal house, which previously was a mayors residence. Entrance fees: 11.00 (adults), 5.50 (5-18yrs) and kids 0-4 years old are free. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I have been several times, but the staff will be happy to tell you when you visit in-person! Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Before that, for the span of a few centuries, this was the most important place for the citys few remaining Catholics. Among other artefacts the museum house contains heavy Dutch furniture, tableclocks and two kitchens with Delft tiles. And it was not easy to select only a few during my short, four days in Amsterdam (Click to see Amsterdam Itinerary), . The Cuypers Library in Rijksmuseum is the oldestand largest public art history research library in the Netherlands. 1000-1700 (Tue-Sat), 1300-1700 (Sun). Check here for more information on the Holland Pass. If youd like to visit the location, it is just a few steps further form the more famous Oude Kerk, the Old Church, in the heart of the Red Light District. He specifically purchased the nearby houses (2 of them to be precise) in order to make space for a church in the attic (next to his storeroom). Head downstairs to pick up your audio guide (available in several languages) and start your tour. They even hold regular Sunday mass here. The museum closes at 6 pm. | Admission: 14 for Adult (Ages 10-17: 7 or Ages 0-9: 1.00 booking fee ) Online Only. A few things to note about the museum: it is quite dim inside so those with poor vision should take extra care on cloudy days. Advance booking is required. . Before standing in line at the entrance, get your tickets at the ticket office in the building across from the museum. Wondering which best Amsterdam museums you should visit on your upcoming trip? Please let me know if you have any questions! Its impressive collection belongs to two private collectors Hendrikje and Hinz Ivo. Like a true monument for Amsterdam and Dutch history in general, this single place can easily be used to symbolise a few centuries of the citys history. Check each museum's official website for pandemic requirements. If you are facing the same challenge, I got you! Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000hrs 1800hrs. Determine which museums and attractions youd like to visit during your stay in Amsterdam. Ons Lieve Heer op Solder is a 17th century house with a Catholic church hidden in the attic. What today is a museum used to be a clandestine Roman Catholic Church, well hidden from the view of ordinary citizens, tucked away in one of the citys typical 17th century canal houses. Can you tell me anything about the organ console on the top floor? No one says you have to visit the Museum of Bags and Purses when in Amsterdam! Ages under 18 enter for free. (Be sure to look in the storeroom next to the church on the top floor to enjoy the beautiful view over Amsterdam!). On the day I went, it was at 11 am and 1:30 pm. You live in a city for many-many years, consider yourself a local expert knowing everything and a bit in town and still, occasionally you come across attractions that just makes your imaginary jaw drop. If you are looking for more in-depth travel advice about Belgium and the Netherlands, I created a guidebook on behalf of Moon Travel about, The best 10 Christmas markets in the Netherlands not to miss, How to see the tulip fields near Amsterdam for free by a local, 5 Dutch cheese markets: A cheesy day trip from Amsterdam, Avoid looking like a tourist in Europe by an American living in Europe . The rock star of its gallery is Banksy; the museums collection includes 50 pieces by the British graffiti artist, including Girl with Balloon. The new owner of the house immediately restored it, converting the ground floor and the basement into a shop and storage room, a perfect faade for what else there was to come. (Have you tried to watch two movies in one day? Check 2021 holiday season schedules.| Open Google Map for Van Gogh Museum Location. Learn how your comment data is processed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Winning the award for most surprising museum is the MuseumOns Lieve Heer op Solder. The cost per guide is 60,-. 1012 GD Amsterdam. Although Rijksmuseum is popular, space is much bigger than other Dutch museums. No one likes to wait in line. The price of 59 is worth it as entrance to each museum is around 15-20 for adults. It is a peaceful haven from the surrounding red-light district and worth a visit. *. Without doubt, this is a hidden treasure of the city, where the word hidden isnt only there for the literally emphasis. photos. The combination of the Reformation sweeping through Europe and the liberation from Catholic Spain as the final outcome of the Eighty Years War, turned the religious tide against Catholicism in the country and it became illegal to practice Catholicism anywhere in public. Also there are some typical Amsterdam stairs to negotiate. Also, the museum dedicates a floor to show a ton of letters he exchanged with his brother Theo and other fellow artists. I decided to write a separate post for others who struggle to secure tickets as I did. Otto Frank and the like-minded also put a consorted effort for years to make the Secret Annex a museum to raise awareness about antisemitism and the dangers of discriminations and prejudice. The book was translated into 70 languages and became the worlds best seller. The Op Solder Museum is a fascinating place to visit combining elements of a 17th century merchant house, a beautiful hidden church and the underlying themes of tolerance and freedom of worship. During my visit, I also got to see a special exhibit on Italian designers. It is bright white and well organized. I dont know if that shop is an official seller. Conveniently located in the center of the oldest part of the city, the Rembrandt House Museum is worth a visit for anyone interested in learning a little more about the famous seventeenth century painter and his personal life. A prominent merchant of Catholic faith owned this beautiful canal house as well as other nearby houses. Be sure to compare to select the best discount card for maximum savings! My favorite room in the canal house is always the cooking kitchen. In these times when the acceptance for the foreign is diminishing, the openness for other cultures weakens around Europe and in the world, this pride remnant from the past continues to be an important reminder for us all. During World War II, Anne Franks family and few others went into hiding in the Secret Annex behind Ottos company building for two years. After the Protestant Reformatio. You must arrive around 10:30 am if you wish to attend. The extensive collection includes The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn, The Milkmaid & View of Houses in Delft (a.k.a. It is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. It is recommended to pre-book a ticket and timeslot online in advance. Your email address will not be published. The stairs arent that tall, however, as with many old Dutch homes, theyre narrow and steep. I gained life experiences from living in eight different countries. You will learn about quirky and interesting facts about the house and church in the attic. The house itself is about 400 years old, however exploring it is part of the charm as you know that theres a church inside, but you need to keep climbing the stairs until you find its secret. The museum offers an introductory presentation on Van Gogh. These are the prices: Here are some tours and tickets near Museum Our Lord in the Attic, including discount cards & passes, skip the line tickets and tickets to events & activities in Amsterdam. The museum is opendaily from 10 am to 5 pm but is closed for some holidays. The gated garden is free to enter. Keep reading for the history of his hidden church, tips for visiting Our Lord in the Attic, and how to save on admission fees by visiting Onze Lieve heer op Zolder for free! I'm an aspiring world traveler, who moved across the Pacific Ocean twice. A church hidden in the attic! And everything will be jumbled in your memory when you return home. Moco (Modern Contemporary Museum Amsterdam) is a newly established museum in Amsterdam Museumplein. Admission is 15 for those over the age of 10 or free for Museumkaart holders. FREE entry to children 0-4, Museumkaart and. Amsterdam is home to seventy-five excellent museums. Traveling this summer with family that doesnt want to go in that area. It may seem odd that a Russian museum decided to open an annex in the Netherlands, but apparently the two countries have ties that go back centuries. Welcome! The following cards and discount passes are available in Amsterdam: There was nothing on the buildings faade that could suggest a Catholic place of worship was located in this house. The entrance fee to the museum is currently 8 Euros, 4 Euros for children. Although in general it is safe to say that as a visitor to the Red Light District you dont need to worry too much about your safety, it is still a shady atmosphere where the modern days inebriated sailors are cruising the area out on a binge and a shopping round, mixed out with curious tourists. Join the Introductory Presentation on Van Gogh, Our Lord in the Attic Museum (Ons Lieve Heer Op Solder). Naturally, museums are my favorite places to visit when traveling. After leaving my PR career, I'm currently exploring Asia from Taiwan and learning Chinese. All Rights Reserved. You dont need to be a Jew to feel the absolute despair Anne and others experienced in hiding. | Hours: Tuesday Friday 10 am 5 pm, Saturday Sunday 1 pm 6 pm (Closed on April 27) | Open Google Map for Our Lord in the Attic Church Location. There is an introductory film on show in the basement before entering the old house. The church continued in use up until 1887 and the following year the house was turned into a museum it is in fact the second oldest museum in Amsterdam (after the Rijksmuseum). This urban park features well-manicured trees and colorful flower beds with tulips in summer, as well as sculptors. Even if you have any pass that gives you a free pass to Van Gogh Museum, book your entrance time online (i Amsterdam cardholders). 15.50 for adults, 7 for children 5-17. Be sure to tap the screen in the room with the beautiful plates. The house even includes a house for a priest who appears to live in a separate house. The house alone and collection of original artwork make for a worthwhile tour, but the highlight for me were the painting and etching demonstrations that were given free to museum-goers. However, the last entrance is at 4:30 pm. Here on the Art Weekenders pages we are taking you to a real hidden gem from Amsterdam, a centuries old secret place that even today brings a special meaning to our town: to Amsterdams hiddenOns Lieve Heer op Solder church. Amsterdam.info is your prime source for museum tickets, discount card and pass, city tours and day trips, canal cruises, airport transfer, parking, train tickets and much more. The small private museum is devoted to pop arts. If you are visiting Amsterdam take a look at theiAmsterdam card which gives you free transport around the city as well as free entry to many museums and attractions in Amsterdam and beyond. Although I like visiting museums, I try not to overdo it. Even if you are eligible for free admissions, book your free tickets online in advance. The attic of this bourgeois house conceals a secret Catholic church, known as Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic), originally built in 1663, when Catholics lost their right to workship in their own way. Naturally, museums are my favorite places to visit when traveling. At this time, many Catholic churches were converted into Protestant churches or left abandoned. Most likely, I Amsterdam City Pass (click to buy) will give you the best value if you are visiting Amsterdam onlyespecially on your first visit. Many pass through as its not as lavish as other rooms, however the story of how they have original plates from the period (on the screen) is hilarious and worth stopping for. I entered the house across the street and was ushered back underground to Hartmans historic home to start my journey. I decided to write a separate post for others who struggle to secure tickets as I did. 1. The 17th century church with an altar, corridors and approximately 150 seats is situated in the attic. Yes, the chandeliers are these days lit with electrical candles, but you barely notice, and it doesnt take any effort at all to imagine yourself back in time. The other night we enjoyed the yearly MuseumNacht here in Amsterdam, a fun and different way of experiencing a good chunk of the citys museums in a festive setting. If you are a fan of Van Gogh, I recommend allowing yourself enough time to appreciate his artworks. Wondering what a ticket to Museum Our Lord in the Attic costs? Insider Tips to Skip the Line, Beat the Crowds, you should visit on your upcoming trip? Your email address will not be published. This time around weare discussing Hidden Gems. Please check ourdisclosurepagefor more information. You wouldnt think a museum dedicated to things you cant see would be all that interesting, but the museum does a really great job of making the exhibition experience immersive and interactive. Thanks! all text and images AwesomeAmsterdam 2011-2018 /// QUESTIONS? Youll see living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms and learn about the people who lived there. http://www.opsolder.nl. Complete Guide to Amsterdams Museum Passes, Tips for First-Time Visitors to the Netherlands, 3 Days in Amsterdam: What to Do & Where to Eat, Complete Guide to Amserdams Museum Passes, 10 Interesting (& Surprising!) You will be delighted to find his precious paintings, including a series of Self Portraits, The bedroom, Almond Blossom, Sunflowers, and Irises. | Admission: 20. The only way to beat the crowd is to do your diligence, plan, and get there early. The Museum is open from 10 am till 6pm Monday through Saturday and from 1pmtill 6pm on Sundays. Many are included with the I Amsterdam Card and Holland Pass as well. If you find any inaccuracies on our pages please let us know at [email protected] Amsterdam Museums Our Lord in the Attic. Its not crowded, and the visit can be as short as one hour. (Included in I Amsterdam Card, Holland Pass(Gold), Museumkaart.) It is near Oude Kerk within the Red Light District. Youll enter the house through a tunnel underneath the basement prior to finding a door that leads up to the attic where around 150 Catholics could pray. The top floor of the main house had a temporary exhibit on pastel paintings when we visited, but the real attraction for us was the beautifully decorated and maintained interiors. Admission fees are 11.50 per adult (2019 prices). Museum Our Lord in the Attic, Amsterdam Cloak service is free although the museum does not keep large luggage. Here is my list of. After a series of booking failure, I successfully booked two same-day tickets on a sold-out day. Ages 13-17 or Students: 16.50 (or 13.50 online). Many popular museums only allow you in at your reserved time slot. Van Gogh Museum has two souvenir shops. This can seem a bit steep, however, if you have the Museumkaart (a local card that includes admission to most Dutch museums that can be sold to tourists; worth it if you visit 5-7 museums within 30 days or live in the Netherlands.). As soon as you enter, youll be given a headset (available in most major languages) that you can hold to your ear as you go through the museum. The souvenir shop sells unique purses. All structured data from the main, Property, Lexeme, and EntitySchema namespaces is available under the. Finally, in 1816 the Netherlands Prince William of Orange married Anna Pavlovna Romanova, the sister of RussiasTsar Alexander I. Now the unharmed replica is proudly hung on the wall of the Big Os office. My no.1 tip for any famous museums in major European cities is to book tickets as soon as you can. You will get a glimpse of his lives and his quirky world, learn about his struggles leading up to the famous ear incident, and understand his paintings in depth. Website: https://www.opsolder.nl/en It is also interesting to see the household items and the things they found in the cesspit behind the homes. Dont forget to stop by the library. Check the museum website for more information. Combined with extensive travelling in some fifty more, it's fair to say that I'm a global citizen with an international perspective - with the corresponding curse of becoming fairly rootless. Book Van Gogh Museum Fast-Lane Tickets here, Book Our Lord in the Attic Ticket with Audio Guide here, Paris Day Trip to Versailles | How to Survive Overcrowded Versailles in Summer, Paris Itinerary 4 Days for First-Time Visitors, Wuji Tianyuan Temple: Best Cherry Blossom in Taipei. The metaphor of heaven and hell would be close to many peoples mind, we are sure about that. It turned out to be Banksys planned stunt. The church became a museum in 1888, which makes it the second oldest museum in all of Amsterdam. Pay attention to the announcement or ask the front desk for the time. In my opinion, it is one the most underrated museum. I had one hour to explore Amsterdam on my own, so I decided to pop in and was delighted. The museum is quite an exciting place where you can learn a lot about the history of purses and see eclectic collections of handbags from all around the world. However, the reconstructed color of old pinkish purple shade was something to ponder about. The spacious gallery with cushioned benches allows visitors to appreciate the arts as long as they want. All content, unless otherwise noted, is 2018 Alison Macbeth, The Postcard.