Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam

The Royal Palace in Amsterdam

The massive building now known as the Royal Palace in Amsterdam was built in 1648 as the town hall, place administrative and judicial authorities maintained offices. It was conceived by local architect, Jacob van Campen who was commissioned to design a larger more suitable town hall, one that reflected the city’s impressive status as the prestigious financial center in the most powerful trading nation in the world. Van Campen’s task was to proclaim the city’s supremacy and prosperity as a reflection of God’s creation, and believe me, one tour of the first floor (which is what is available to tourists these days) is proof enough that he fully understood his mission.

The Grand Hall

The renowned sculptor, Arus Quellinus and a small army of artists, sculptors, and masons worked for 14 years to produce a truly astounding display of artistry—making reality from van Campen’s designs. When it was finally opened for business in 1655, the building was locally referred to as the “8^th wonder of the world.” The Dutch poet Joost Vondel called it the “Crown of Creation.”

As the town hall, the building belonged to the people. According to our audio tour, it would not have been at all unusual for the great hall to be completely full of Amsterdamers on rainy days, which as you know can be quite often around here. All legal matters were handled in the town hall—crimes/executions, civil disputes, tax collection, debtors’ court, custody of orphans, etc. In fact, in 1656 Rembrandt himself appeared before the authorities in this very building because of overwhelming debt. Thanks to the ruling, a complete inventory of Rembrandt’s possessions was ordered. That same inventory serves as an important historical reference for art historians (although one might forgive Remmy if he failed to consider the future benefits. Declared bankrupt, he lost his home and all of his possessions.)

Left behind by Louis Napoleon

In 1806 Napoleon’s brother, Louis Napoleon was proclaimed King of Holland. In 1808, he converted the prestigious town hall into his residence. The transformation from municipal offices to royal residence included millions of guilders worth of decorations and adornments. Offices became bedrooms; cells became wine cellars, and all of it at the expense of the Napoleonic Empire. In 1813, the French Empire expired, and Louis left behind a wealth of opulence including priceless art, furniture and furnishings; furthermore, the building was returned to the city of Amsterdam. The new Dutch King, Willem I used the building as his residence at the prompting of the city council.

Because of shared use and minimal interest shown by the Royal Family, by the 1900’s the legal question regarding ownership of the building became a public debate. In 1935, the city of Amsterdam sold the building to the State of Netherlands for ten million guilders. The State, in turn, offered permanent use to the Royal House.

Solomon knew best

These days the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam is one of three palaces used by the Dutch Royal House, mostly for state visits, awards ceremonies, and official receptions. The Royal Palace in Amsterdam has also played a major role in royal weddings, abdications, and royal inaugurations, as it will again on April 30, 2013 when Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange assumes the crown from his mother, Queen Beatrix.

(Willem-Alexander will become the first male monarch to accede to the Dutch throne since 1890 when King Willem III died leaving the throne to then Princess Wilhelmina. She abdicated in 1948 and was replaced by her daughter, Juliana. Juliana abdicated in 1980 allowing Beatrix to become queen. The official shindig marking the inauguration of Willem-Alexander as King of the Netherlands will happen, as it has so often in the past, right here in the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam on Dam Square.)

Princess Maxima and Prince Willem-Alexander