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…
Amsterdam, Burcht van Berlage, internal view hallway second floor

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…
Wall with pictures, Foundling Exhibition at Amsterdam City Archives

Foundlings in Amsterdam

The Foundlings exhibition at the Amsterdam City Archives – July 2020. Nowadays, a foundling always makes headline news. It’s rare…
Entrance of the FOAM Photography Museum, Amsterdam

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…
Coster Diamonds, Amsterdam, aerial view

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…
House Marseille, Amsterdam, Photography Museum, front view

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…
Two fishermen on a boat in an Amsterdam canal looking up

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…
House Bartolotti, Amsterdam, front view with two chimneys

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 Cigar Store, Amsterdam, front view

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…
Close-up of rose-ringed paraqueet

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).…