On your bucket list: 15 things you probably didn't know about the Royal Palace on Dam Square

Every Amsterdammer knows the Royal Palace on Dam Square. It has stood there for centuries, right in the middle of the city's busiest square. Yet I notice that many people rarely actually go inside, and many of my friends only went for the first time after I told them that you can visit it. With a Museum Card ( and for kids! ), it is even completely free. I myself have been there several times in recent years, and every time I discover new details.

From hidden symbolism in the marble to stories from the time when the building was still Amsterdam City Hall. Precisely because there are so many little things you easily overlook, I thought it would be fun to compile my favorite discoveries. Think of it as a mini bucket list for your next visit to the palace.

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© Your Little Black Book

15 facts about the Royal Palace on Dam Square that you want to know (as an Amsterdammer!)

1. The Palace is open to visitors almost all year round.

So, what many people don't know: you can simply visit the Royal Palace on Dam Square to view the impressive halls and art up close. The palace is, in fact, open to the public almost all year round. The palace only temporarily closes its doors when official royal receptions take place, such as state visits, award ceremonies, or other royal events.

2. It was originally not a palace at all

The building was constructed in the 17th century as the City Hall of Amsterdam. Architect Jacob van Campen designed the enormous building, which was intended to showcase the wealth and power of the city in the 17th century. It was only much later that it acquired its current function as a palace.

3. It was once called the “eighth wonder of the world”

When the city hall opened in 1655, visitors were deeply impressed by the beauty and size of the colossal building. Fun facts: The Palace is 20.000 square meters! When it was built in the 17th century, it towered so much above the small Amsterdam houses that it was called the eighth wonder of the world. Even then, tourists came to Amsterdam to visit the city hall. Just as we stand here now with an audio tour, that is pretty much how it used to be. You could book a tour of the building's most beautiful rooms with the concierge's wife for a few pennies. And past the cells beneath the building.

4. The building stands on more than 13.000 wooden piles

Like many historic buildings in Amsterdam, the Palace stands on wooden foundation piles made of Norway spruce. Due to the enormous weight of the heavy sandstone building, there are more than 13.000 of them. Piling began in 1648, and those piles were driven deep into the marshy soil to keep the building stable. Fun fact: there are exactly 13.659 wooden piles, easy to remember with the mnemonic that the year has 365 days, with a one in front and a nine after: 1-365-9. You'll never forget this now ;-).

5. The Civic Hall was intended as the heart of the city

The impressive Civic Hall forms the center of the building. Jacob van Campen designed this large hall as a meeting place for all citizens, an extension of the bustling Dam outside. When it was still a city hall, citizens came here to conduct their business, hold meetings, insure their merchandise, get married, and settle disputes. Rembrandt van Rijn, for instance, filed for bankruptcy here. Upon entering the Civic Hall, you are overwhelmed by an abundance of marble and mythological sculptures. This was intended to make it clear to the citizens and their foreign guests that Amsterdam was the most important city in the world.

© Your Little Black Book

6. A world map lies on the floor.

As you walk through the Civic Hall, take a good look at the marble floor. Two enormous maps of the eastern and western hemispheres lie there. They symbolize Amsterdam's world trade in the 17th century. If you look closely, you will see that parts of the world are not yet marked; they had not yet been discovered.

7. Napoleon transformed the town hall into a palace

It was not until 1808 that the building became a royal palace. Louis Napoleon, the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, decided that the impressive city hall would be a perfect royal residence. Fun fact: On March 6, 1808, at 4 a.m., the last residents left: the prisoners from the city hall cells. In a few months, the city hall was transformed into a palace housing the largest collection of Empire furniture. A balcony was also added to the Dam facade, allowing the king to show himself to the people. The golden thrones of King Louis Napoleon's wife, Hortense, and Crown Prince Louis still stand in the Palace, in the Throne Room. And do you know what happened to the cells? King Louis Napoleon turned them into wine cellars!

8. The Palace is still used by the King

Although you can visit the Palace, it remains an official reception palace for the Royal House. State visits, award ceremonies, and official dinners, for example, are held here. Did you know that the King and Queen and incoming heads of state actually stay at the Palace during a state visit? You can view these rooms during the opening hours. The Royal Apartment, for instance, serves as the King and Queen's living and working apartment, while the receiving head of state stays in the English Quarter during a state visit.

© Benning and Gladkova

9. Atlas stands on the roof with the world on his shoulders.

On top of the building stands a large statue of Atlas with a globe. It symbolizes Amsterdam's former role. Atlas, the iconic statue outside on the roof of the Royal Palace Amsterdam, also stands inside the Civic Hall. This statue served as the mold for the casting model of the bronze statue on the roof. Atlas represents perseverance and infinite endurance. Amsterdam children were therefore led to believe that if Atlas were to drop his globe, Amsterdam would perish.

10. The Palace is full of symbolism

If you look closely at the sculptures and decorations, you will discover symbols everywhere, culminating in the Vierschaar. The Vierschaar is the most beautiful room in the palace. The room is entirely marble, and the statues are so lifelike that they seem to step out of the marble. It is also known as the 'Night Watch of sculpture'. But this room has a dark history. Death sentences were pronounced here in a solemn ritual. Once the sentence had been pronounced, you went upstairs to the Justice Chamber (with the city coat of arms in the floor) and went through the window onto the scaffold on Dam Square.

© Benning & Gladkova

11. Art by Dutch Masters hangs inside.

Throughout the Palace hang paintings and sculptures by 17th-century artists, including Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck. Each one is a work of art you would normally expect to find in the Rijksmuseum, for example, or names you might know from De Pijp. Did you know that just about all the street names from De Pijp are also represented in the Palace? From Ferdinand Bol to Govert Flinck, and from Quellinus and Jacob van Campen to Hemony. Each and every one of them 17th-century artists who have left their mark on the Palace. 

What immediately stands out are those two enormous chimney pieces, measuring a whopping 3,5 by 5 meters! Created by Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck and enhanced by lines of poetry by Joost van den Vondel (of the Vondelpark!). These artworks were made to remind the users of the space of moral lessons.

A big name missing today? Rembrandt van Rijn! He is not represented in this building. At least, not anymore. Once, the largest painting he ever made hung here—much larger than The Night Watch: 'The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis'—in the arches of the galleries (originally 5 x 5 meters). It hung here for only five weeks and was then removed by order of the mayors. They did not find it elegant enough. Rembrandt cut off the greater part, leaving only the dramatic central section. Today, this painting can be seen in the National Museum in Stockholm.

And you have surely heard this story: The Night Watch also hung in the Palace since 1715, upstairs in the Council of War Hall (a room that is unfortunately not open to the public). It is almost impossible to imagine, but to fit between the two doors, four strips were cut off The Night Watch. You can imagine that people mourn this to this very day! 

12. Some rooms are surprisingly small

Anyone seeing the building from the outside expects nothing but gigantic spaces. However, a number of rooms, particularly the former royal apartments, are actually quite intimate. This offers a unique glimpse into how the Palace was truly used as living quarters.

13. Even Amsterdammers keep discovering new things there

What I personally like best about the Palace is that you almost always see something new. A detail in a ceiling, a sculpture you hadn't noticed before, or a story behind a room. I am almost certain that you have never noticed the red lights in the Citizens' Hall. But I am going to tell you what they are for! During a state visit, the state banquet takes place in the Palace's Citizens' Hall—a dinner for hundreds of guests where the King and the visiting head of state give speeches. If you look up, you will see a red light on the ledge by the windows. During a state banquet, these lights are operated by the chief footman. When he switches them on, all the footmen know they may serve the plate. Everything happens at exactly the same time! 

Another beautiful feature above the entrance to the Civic Hall is the City Maiden, who symbolizes Amsterdam. If you look very closely, you can see three St. Andrew's crosses on her dress and a city wall on her head. In her hands, she holds palm leaves and an olive branch, symbols of peace. In 1648, the year construction began, the Peace of Münster was signed, bringing an end to the Eighty Years' War. Amsterdam administrators played an important role in this, and the City Maiden symbolizes peace, aided by the two women at her feet: Strength (with a lion's skin) and Wisdom (with a helmet).

14. You can also discover the Palace with children

What many people don't know: the Palace also has special routes for families. With scavenger hunts and interactive activities, children playfully discover the building and the stories behind the art and architecture. This makes visiting the Palace with children surprisingly fun. View all activities for kids at the Palace here >>

The Palace on Dam Square © Your Little Black Book

15. With the Mokum Tour, you discover the Palace through Amsterdam eyes.

Another fun way to discover the Palace is the Mokumtour by Ommetje met Tom. During this route, you will hear stories about Amsterdam and the role the Palace played in the city's history. It offers a different perspective on the building: not only as a royal palace, but also as a place that was the administrative heart of Amsterdam for centuries. Learn more about the Mokumtour >>

The Royal Palace on Dam Square in brief

Location: Dam Square, city center of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Function: Royal reception palace and museum.
Construction period: 1648–1665
Architect: Jacob van Campen
Original function: Amsterdam City Hall.
Royal Palace since: 1808, under King Louis Napoleon.
Current role: King's Reception Palace; ceremonial receptions, state visits, award ceremonies, royal weddings, or the succession to the throne.
Open to the public: Yes, virtually the entire year when no state visits or official events are taking place.
Most important room: The Civic Hall, the central heart of the building.
Famous detail: Marble world maps in the floor of the Civic Hall.
Foundation: More than 13.659 wooden piles.
Statue on the roof: Atlas with a celestial sphere.
Art collection: Works by Dutch Masters, including Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck.
Important sculptor: Artus Quellinus
Nickname in the 17th century: The eighth wonder of the world.
Child-friendly activity: Family scavenger hunt through the palace.
Special route: Mokumtour with stories about Amsterdam and the history of the building.
Website: paleisamsterdam.nl
Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, Amsterdam.

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The 8th wonder of the world