In fact, there is so much to see that it may not be possible to fit it all into one visit. It may require two, or three, or even four!
The House of Anne Frank
One of the most visited places in Amsterdam is Anne Frank’s house, in Prinsengracht, where it is possible to experience the cramped conditions of a life in hiding. The few rooms, in which Anne spent the last two years of her young life, have been wonderfully maintained. The house was first opened as a museum in May 1960, at this time Otto Frank, Anne’s father was still alive. The house has been lovingly restored, and even had to close for several months in the 1970s, for restoration work to take place. The volume of visitors was causing damage to the fabric of the house. The front of the house has been remodelled and modernized, however, inside has been carefully preserved and the annexe is almost exactly in its original condition. So much so, that it is a chilling experience, and an emotional journey through one of the darkest parts of our world’s history. Prinsengracht is in the centre of Amsterdam, and is easily reachable by public transport. However, a long wait may be required, as the queue to get inside can sometimes be as long as the street.
The Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is another popular tourist destination. It is the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work, in the world. Not only does it contain many of his works of art, it is also home to several of Vincent’s letters and sketches. In addition to these wonderful pieces, the museum houses exhibitions of other nineteenth century artwork. This offers the opportunity to track, not just Van Gogh’s own work, but the work of his contemporaries, too. A possible point of interest is that there is a lecture held every Sunday, at two o’clock in the afternoon. If entry to the museum has already been paid, then this lecture is free, it is popular though, so promptness is key. It is worth bearing in mind however, that if the speaker is Dutch then the lecture will be given in Dutch. If the speaker is from elsewhere, then the language will be English.
The Rijksmuseum
In terms of its size, the Rijksmuseum is an absolutely overwhelming site. This is certainly a museum that can not be fully appreciated in an afternoon. It will certainly require an entire day, and possibly a return visit. There are over four hundred pieces within the museum. It truly is a cultural feast and definitely not one to be missed. Ticket prices are a very reasonable; only eleven euros for adults and children under eighteen have free admission. As a group it is possible to get a guided tour. In addition, it may be worth bearing in mind, that on Fridays the museum has longer opening hours.
The Museum Amstelkring
The Museum Amstelkring is a house next to one of the many canals in Amsterdam. It may be much smaller than the grand Rijksmuseum, but it is probably one of the oldest museums in the world, having been open for visitors since 1888. It houses a large collection of religious artefacts, paintings, furniture, and maritime items. This is certainly an interesting point of historical significance within the city. There is also a ‘secret’ Catholic Church in the attic of the house, called known as Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic). This was built over three hundred years ago, in 1663. As with the Rijksmuseum it is possible to get a guided tour for a reasonable fee. However, due to the small size of the building, this will only be feasible for groups with a maximum of twenty five people.
There are obviously many, many more places to be visited. The truth is that culturally Amsterdam is well and truly filled to the brim. In terms of stimulating the brain, or satisfying a love for art and history, then Amsterdam will certainly not disappoint.
