Amsterdam hidden treasure tour
With co-operation with the ATCB (Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board), AmsterBike has made for you two bike routes along the Hidden Treasures of Amsterdam. One route is 10 km and the second one 15 km.
1- (De Nieuwe Kerk)
Dam
The relics and treasures of Hidden Afghanistan will be on view in the historic settings of Amsterdam's second oldest church, De Nieuwe Kerk. Contrary to the daily news of the past few years, Afghanistan is not just a country of war and destruction.
2- Amsterdams Historisch Museum
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 359
Walk along the street between the Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof, and you will discover fifteen massive paintings—just out there in the open!
3- Bijbels museum
Herengracht 368
The Biblical Museum, housed in two canal-side properties dating from 1662, boasts an impressive art collection and a hidden treasure of its own.
4- Mystery of the stars
Keizersgracht 324
Every Friday from January to June, the observatory will be open to the public. Visitors can tour the 18th century Physics department, and take in the phenomenal views from the roof of one the highest buildings on the canal ring.
5- Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Prinsengracht 112
Wooden shoes, cheese and tulips: the Netherlands in a nutshell. Or is it? A visit to the Amsterdam Tulip Museum on the Prinsengracht reveals one of the country’s lesser-known facts: that these so-called Dutch flowers originally come from Turkey.
6- Hofjes in Amsterdam
Tucked away behind the street facades and canals of Amsterdam’s inner city are countless courtyards. Most of them were built in the 17th century as a form of Christian benevolence. Wealthy Amsterdammers built them to shelter elderly widows, for free, in the last years of their life.
7- Amsterdam’s Open Garden Days: Art in Canalside Gardens.
In the third weekend of June some 30 almost private gardens will be open to the public, some of them for the first time. The theme for 2008 is Art in the Canal House Garden.
8- Westertoren
Prinsengracht 281
This Reformed church (1631) has a plaque commemorating Rembrandt and a carillon with 48 bells, some of which were made by F. and P. Hemony (1658). The town carilloneur Boudewijn Zwart rings the bells.The tower, which is more than 85 metres high and was completed in 1638, is positioned centrally in front of the church’s west facade, according to medieval tradition
9- Woonbootmuseum
Prinsengracht 296 K
Houseboats are a rare phenomenon, but one which can be found all over the city of Amsterdam. For those curious to know what a house on the water looks like from the inside, a visit to the Woonbootmuseum (Houseboat Museum) is a must
10- Huis Marseille - Museum voor Fotografie
Keizersgracht 401
Huis Marseille is located in a 17th century canal house. The stone tablet on the facade, with its map of the harbour of Marseille, dates back to the French merchant who had the house built in 1665.
11- Pijpenkabinet & Smokiana
Prinsengracht 488
An historic estate along the Prinsengracht canal is home to a fascinating collection from a dedicated tobacco pipe collector. There are over 20,000 pieces! Uncover the collector’s passion with a personal tour offered in four languages.
12- Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam Tour
Leidseplein 26
Several tours are given at Amsterdam’s monumental Stadsschouwburg (City Theatre) dating from 1894.
They will grant you a glimpse behind doors that are usually closed to the public. The tours, enlivened by interesting anecdotes, include a visit to the dressing rooms, the wings and the portrait gallery of actors who have performed here in the past.
13- Secret Sculpture
A bronze female bust in front of the Oude Kerk, a violinist in the entranceway of the Muziektheater and a man sawing at the branch upon which he is perched at the Leidsebosje (across from Barbizon Centre hotel).
14- Vondelpark
Vondelpark has been a center of litterature for centuries. Writers , editors, publishers and thinkers have enjoyed the freedom of expression and open dialogue this city embraces. This year UNESCO has proclamed Amsterdam ‘ World book Capital’ . Starting in April there will be a variety of literary and cultural activities to commemorate this, including events at Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and the Vondelpark.
15- Nederlands Filmmuseum
Vondelpark 3
The Film Museum is situated in Amsterdam’s most famous park, the Vondelpark. The collection spans the entire history of film: from nineteenth century silent film to modern production.
16- Family home
Museum van Loon
Keizersgracht 672
Museum Van Loon is situated in a double canal-side house on the Keizersgracht. The historic monument, which dates back to 1672, was first home to one of Rembrandts most famous pupils, Ferdinand Bol.
17- Foam_Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
Keizersgracht 609
At the end of May 2007, FOAM Editions opened its doors as a gallery of FOAM,
Amsterdam’s photography museum. FOAM Editions sells high-quality photos in limited, exclusive editions.
18- Stadsarchief Amsterdam
Vijzelstraat 32
In the cellars of the City Archive are some of Amsterdam’s most exceptional hidden treasures. The oldest object here is a toll privilege from 1275, the first document to contain the name Amsterdam—in fact called ‘Amstelredamme’ at the time.
19- Hermitage Amsterdam
Nieuwe Herengracht 14
The exhibition ‘St.-Petersburg in beeld’ (St. Petersburg in images) featuring more than a hundred photos from the Hermitage collection provides a unique impression of life in Saint Petersburg in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when the city was still the capital and lively centre of the Russian Empire.
20- Portugees Israëlitische Synagoge
Mr Visserplein 3
In the heart of Amsterdam’s former Jewish Quarter stands the Portuguese-Israeli Synagogue, built by architect Elias Bouman in 1675. At that time it was the largest synagogue in the world. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience this cultural jewel every Thursday events.
21- Els Haim livrary
Mr. Visserplein 3
In the spirit of Amsterdam Hidden Treasures, world-renowned library Ets Haim (1616) will open its doors to the public. It is the oldest functioning Jewish library in the world, and a treasure trove of history and knowledge. Ever since the Netherlands’ Golden Age, Ets Haim has enjoyed international acclaim.
22- Rembrandthuis
Jodenbreestraat 4-6
What better place to discover the secrets of Rembrandt than in the place he created some of his greatest works? Did you know that Rembrandt used only ten colours in his paintings?
23- Zuiderkerk - toren
Zuiderkerkhof 72
From 1 October until 31 March the Zuiderkerk tower can be climbed by appointment only. From 1 April until 30 September the tower is open from Monday up to and including Saturday, from 12.00 until 16.00 hrs; last tour at 15.30 hrs. Tours start every half hour, costs € 6 per person
24- Our Lord —hidden—in the Attic
Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40
Tucked away in the attic of a 17th century merchant house on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal is a unique conventicler, known to Amstedammers as the ‘Ons Lieve Heer op Solder’ (Our Lord in the Attic).
25- De Oude Kerk
Oudekerksplein 23 / ingang Zuidzijde
The oldest church in Amsterdam, the Oude Kerk is worth a visit for its interior and history alone, but under the Grand Organ from 1742 is a hidden treasure.
26- The pearl of the convent
De Wallen/Red light district
Nestled in one of the oldest areas of Amsterdam is the medieval Bethaniënklooster (Convent of Bethany).
In 1462, the convent acquired permission to build its own chapel. The chapel has been fully restored and is a glorious spot to hide away and listen to the sounds of classical music.27- VOC-café – Schreierstoren
Prins Hendrikkade 94/95
The Schreierstoren (‘weeper’s tower’) on the Prins Hendrikkade has witnessed its share of tears. At the foot of this tower which dates back to 1480, sailors bid farewell to their wives before setting off to sea.
28- Scheepvaarthuis
Prins Hendrikkade 108-114
The Scheepvaarthuis is a spectacular example of the 'Amsterdam School' style of architecture; a Dutch variant to the international ‘Art Nouveau’ movement. Built originally in 1912 as a luxurious headquarters for various shipping firms, the structure soon became a significant landmark of the City of Amsterdam.29- Roof with a view
Science Center NEMO
Oosterdok 2
At Nemo, a centre for science and technology, you can discover natural phenomena’s and the world around you in an interactive and unique way. The motto of the museum is it is ‘Forbidden NOT to touch!’.
30- Openbare Bibliotheek
Oosterdokskade 143
With its area of 28,000 square metres and bookshelves with a total length of 25 kilometres, Amsterdam’s new public library is the largest in the Netherlands. The building’s highlight is the 7th floor, which accommodates a theatre with 270 seats and a restaurant with a terrace affording a stunning view across the entire city centre.31- Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam - De Hortus
Plantage Middenlaan 2 A
In its Palm Greenhouse, Amsterdam’s Hortus (Botanical Garden) is presenting a remarkable art project
Besides cycads the showcase contains drawers providing information on the species’ history, origin and use. There are also fossils and various unusual objects associated with this group of rare plants.
32- The Netherlands occupied and liberated)
Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Plantage Kerklaan 61
At the Resistance Museum, which was in 2002 and 2003 proclaimed the best historical museum in the Netherlands, visitors travel through the Netherlands as it was shortly before, during and after World War II.
33- Artis zoo
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40
At the edge of the city centre is the Netherlands’ oldest zoo, Artis Royal Zoo. Founded in 1838, the zoo spans some 14 hectares and is home to 700 species.
34- IJ beer
Brouwerij 't IJ
Everyone is familiar with the Dutch brand Heineken, but in a charming windmill and former bathhouse along the River IJ something different is brewing.
35- Muziekgebouw aan ’t Ij
Piet Heinkade 1, Amsterdam
A performance treasure gives a free luch concert once or twice a month. For a
Survey of all the free luch concerts up to the end of the season, consult
www.muziekgebouw.nl
