The Royal Palace Amsterdam

The Royal Palace Amsterdam is one of the three palaces in use by the Royal family. It is used for state visits, award ceremonies and other official receptions. When the Royal Palace is not used by the family, it is open to the public. Visitors can discover the rich history of the building. It's various purposes, 150 years as a Amsterdam’s city hall, five years as a Royal and Imperial Palace, and almost two centuries as a palace of reception by the Royal family, have left their marks on the building. A variable annual summer exhibition illustrates the rich history of the building, for instance as a monument from the Dutch Golden Age. Every fall, the work of young painters is on exhibition in light of the Royal Award for Free Painting.


The Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) on Dam square serves as Queen Beatrix’s official residence when she is in Amsterdam. This imposing building was originally designed by Jacob van Campen to serve as Amsterdam’s city hall.

Architectural wonder
Designed along classical lines, the Royal Palace was built between 1648 and 1665. To counter Amsterdam’s sand, the building stands on 13,659 wooden piles. Atlas stands atop the palace, with a 1000kg weight of the world upon his shoulders. The Royal Palace was referred to as the eighth wonder of the world by the poet, Contantijn Huygens.

Fit for royalty
The building's function was changed from Amserdam's city hall into the Royal Palace in 1808 after the French conqueror Napoleon had appointed his brother Louis as King of the Netherlands. The palace became state property in 1936, and nowadays Queen Beatrix receives her important (international) guests here.