Royal Palace Amsterdam

The Royal Palace Amsterdam is located on Dam Square in the heart of Amsterdam and is one of the most impressive buildings from the Dutch Golden Age. The palace was originally built as Amsterdam's city hall between 1648 and 1665, designed by the famous architect Jacob van Campen.

The building rests on 13,659 wooden piles driven into Amsterdam's soft ground. The enormous interior covers over 8,000 square meters and includes the impressive Burgerzaal (Citizens' Hall), one of Europe's largest halls from the 17th century.

In 1808, the building was converted into a royal palace by Louis Napoleon, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was then King of Holland. The rich interior with marble floors and Empire furniture largely dates from this period.

Today the palace is used for royal receptions, state visits, and other official events. Most of the year, the palace is open to the public, and visitors can admire the magnificent halls and extensive art collection.