Is it a town hall or a palace? Either way, the Paleis op de Dam is a building with a rich history. The building was built in the 17th century by the famous architect Jacob van Campen as the city hall of Amsterdam. After serving as the city hall for over a century and a half, it was renamed a palace by Louis Napoleon in 1808 and adapted to its new function. During the French occupation, it was even temporarily an imperial palace. Upon his departure, Louis Napoleon left behind a number of silver objects and set up a Royal Museum in the palace, which would later form the basis for the Rijksmuseum. In 1813, it was returned to Amsterdam at the inauguration of William I and served again as the city hall.
The building underwent several changes over the years, such as adding a balcony and hiding sculptures behind canvases. Today, the palace houses a wealth of heritage, including the largest collection of Empire furniture outside France. A visit to the Royal Palace Amsterdam is therefore an absolute must for anyone interested in the history and culture of Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Step inside and experience the beautiful architecture and rich history of this historical and cultural monument of the Golden Age.
Sources. Story: https://onh.nl/verhaal/koninklijk-en-keizerlijk-paleis / https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl/ontdek/stadhuis-wordt-koninklijk-paleis/ Photos: Source Photo's: Stadsarchief Amsterdam
