A Hidden Church in a Canal House
On the edge of the Red Light District, on the corner of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40 and the Heintje Hoeksteeg, there is a church hidden…
Berlage’s Fortress
The Union building of the General Diamond Workers Union of the Netherlands (Algemene Nederlandse Diamantbewerkers Bond) was soon nicknamed "Berlage's…
The Houses of the Seven Nations
Just off the Vondelpark, in the Roemer Visscherstraat, you can find a curious architectural gem: seven adjacent houses, with each house representing…
Foundlings in Amsterdam
The Foundlings exhibition at the Amsterdam City Archives – July 2020. Nowadays, a foundling always makes headline news. It’s rare…
At the FOAM Photography Museum
I visited FOAM on June 13th, 2020 to see their “Vivian Maier – Works in Color” exhibition.FOAM is located in a beautiful old canal house…
A Visit to Coster Diamonds
Royal Coster Diamonds dates back to at least 1840 and is the world’s oldest trusted diamond polishing factory, with a rich and compelling history. Their…
A Visit to House Marseille
Located on the Keizersgracht 401 is House Marseille, Museum for Photography, which opened in 1999. The residence was built around 1665 for French…
A Frisian Eel Fisherman in Amsterdam
On a cold day in January 2020 I was invited to come along on a boat ride with Bas Oosterbaan and his fellow skipper Gerben Brouwer. Despite the dreary…
Bartolotti House
Completed in 1620, the Bartolotti House was one of the largest merchant’s houses in the city, with a richly decorated and slightly curved facade (which…
Hajenius Cigars on the Rokin
P.G.C. Hajenius Cigars, located on the Rokin 82–96, is a Dutch cigar brand, now owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. Started in 1826 as a cigar store…
The Green Invaders
No, I'm not talking about Martians, but about the rose-ringed parakeet, a medium-sized parrot 40 cm (16 in) in length (including the long tail feathers).…