About this activity
Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder: an entire church hidden inside a canal-side house
Tucked away in the oldest part of Amsterdam, on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, lies one of the city’s most extraordinary secrets. Behind the unassuming front door of a 17th-century canal-side house, you climb up narrow staircases and through cramped corridors to emerge in the attic into a complete, beautifully preserved church. A church that has been there since 1663, and which still looks as though Mass could be held there at any moment.
The story behind it is fascinating. During the Republic of the Seven Provinces, Catholics were not allowed to practise their faith openly. The wealthy merchant Jan Hartman therefore had a clandestine church built in secret on the upper floors of his home, something the Amsterdam authorities turned a blind eye to. That unique atmosphere of secrecy and tolerance can still be felt in the museum today.
As well as the church hall, you can wander through historically furnished living rooms, kitchens and box beds that bring daily life in the Golden Age to life. For children, there’s a treasure hunt featuring Kapoentje the ladybird and a special audio tour. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. An unexpected and impressive outing, also great for groups and families.
DOEdeal!