The Experience That Awaits
Designed in the 17th century by the architect Jacob Van Campen, the Royal Palace rises grandly over Dam Square, commanding a central position in the city. Still in use by the Dutch Royal family for state visits and New Year celebrations among other events, it is open to the public. Visitors are inevitably impressed by the Citizen's Hall, a striking 30-meter high room with natural light streaming in through the windows. Its marble floors are inlaid with maps of the Eastern and Western hemispheres, whilst its walls are lined with exquisite sculptures and paintings.
The whimsical chimney pieces were painted by artists Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck, both pupils of Rembrant. Incidentally, Rembrandt had his own commissioned work 'The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis' returned to him after it was hanging for a while at the palace. The beautiful cupola on the palace's central dome is topped by the symbol of Amsterdam, a weather vane in the form of a cog ship. Note that the few windows below the dome offer stunning views of the harbour.
The palace appears most striking when viewed from the rear side as from here, a statue of Atlas can be supporting the globe. It is perhaps at this point, we remember the poet Constantijn Huygens who famously declared the palace, 'the World's Eighth Wonder'.
