We've sent you to a spot where you might be wondering what the story is here. Look around and you should see a pillar nearby, which is also shown in the photo so you know you're in roughly the right place. You're standing near the Kalverstraat, one of Amsterdam's busiest shopping streets.
But back in 1345, something happened here that nobody could explain. A 65-year-old man named Ysbrant Dommer was seriously ill. A priest came to his home and gave him a holy host. Shortly after, Ysbrant vomited the host, and his wife threw it into the fire. What happened next stopped everyone in their tracks. The host floated above the flames without burning. The next day it was still there. A young woman carefully removed it from the fire, unharmed herself, and placed it beside the sick man. A local priest took the host to the Old Church, insisting everyone keep quiet about it. The next morning, the host was back beside Ysbrant. This happened three times. Word spread fast.
A solemn procession brought the host to the Old Church for good. A year later, Bishop Jan van Arkel officially declared it a miracle. A chapel called the Holy Place was built on this very site and the column is there to remember the place.
Sources. Photos: Source Photo: Stadsarchief Amsterdam 2. Alberts, Martin Stadsarchief Amsterdam
