Amsterdam History Museum

He who wants to learn about the history and nature of the Dutch capital must necessarily visit Amsterdam History Museum located directly at Kalverstraat, the city’s main merchant street. The museum entrance is easy to miss among colorful neon signs. Nonetheless, it stands out from the crowd. It greets you with narrow gates adorned with the imperial crown and three crosses – the Amsterdam coat of arms. A little below is a relief depicting children sporting blue and red uniforms – reminding that the museum is housed in a former city orphanage founded in 1580 at the site of the St. Lucien Monastery. Upon passing through the gates, you will see the David and Goliath cafe on the right. Entrance to the cafe is decorated with sizeable figures of these Biblical characters. The cafe serves exquisite pancakes.

Somewhat deeper inside are painstakingly renovated buildings erected by the two leading architects of the 17th century – Hendrik de Keyser and Jacob Van Kampen. At the center you will see a quiet cobblestone-paved courtyard where orphans used to play. The good condition of the buildings is evidence of the city fathers’ care for their fellow citizens. Notably, this policy was pursued here long before the concept of a socially-oriented state!

It is best to start the tour of the museum with hall No. 1 (on the ground floor), where you can view a computer film devoted to the history of Amsterdam: you will see all stages of its transformation from a tiny 18th century fishermen’s hamlet into a modern city.

Halls 2 and 3 present archeological finds, reconstructions of various buildings, and modern paintings, all of which present the local lifestyle in the Middle Ages. Hall 3 is partly devoted to the “Amsterdam miracle” that happened in 1345. Upon administration of the last sacraments, the dying man could not swallow the wafer, which fell out of his mouth and into a fire. On the following day it was discovered intact in the ashes. The miracle was officially recorded, and Amsterdam turned into a pilgrimage center. Even Holy Roman Empire Emperor Maximilian I arrived here to pray for own recovery. The miracle is worshiped to this day: over 10,000 Roman Catholics pass through city streets in a Silent Procession (Stille Omgang) on the second Sunday in March.