Amsterdam is FULL of museums. They even have a history museum that they don't want to CALL a history museum. The Amsterdam (History) Museum is located in an old orphanage. They had a free audio tour and some videos for viewing as you made your way through the life of Amsterdam.
A long time ago they build a city on both banks of the Amstel River. After they ran out of land to build on, they dammed up the river and called the city Amsterdam.Then there was an exhibit on Schiphol Airport, celebrating their 100th anniversary. It was mostly for kids, but had some interesting parts. I just wasn't impressed with this museum.
After a stop at McDonald's for a coke and a McFlurry, we headed over to the Hidden Church, otherwise know as Our Lord in the Attic Museum. What a cool place and story. Really enjoyed seeing this place and it was very well done and thorough.
They had a self guided audio tour and it walked you through the church and the residency here and talked about the people who lived there. We heard why they met in secret - because the country had kicked out the Catholics in the 1500's and now Protestants were the religion of the land. Other religions were technically not allowed, but they were tolerated if they couldn't see it from the street.
It was very interesting that it took over 6 years and $13 million Euros to restore it. They bought the building next door, demolished it, and built a new entrance and gift shop. You enter the Hidden Church by going to the basement of the new building, under the street, and up the stairs of the Hidden Church's residence area.
A long time ago they build a city on both banks of the Amstel River. After they ran out of land to build on, they dammed up the river and called the city Amsterdam.Then there was an exhibit on Schiphol Airport, celebrating their 100th anniversary. It was mostly for kids, but had some interesting parts. I just wasn't impressed with this museum.
After a stop at McDonald's for a coke and a McFlurry, we headed over to the Hidden Church, otherwise know as Our Lord in the Attic Museum. What a cool place and story. Really enjoyed seeing this place and it was very well done and thorough.
They had a self guided audio tour and it walked you through the church and the residency here and talked about the people who lived there. We heard why they met in secret - because the country had kicked out the Catholics in the 1500's and now Protestants were the religion of the land. Other religions were technically not allowed, but they were tolerated if they couldn't see it from the street.
It was very interesting that it took over 6 years and $13 million Euros to restore it. They bought the building next door, demolished it, and built a new entrance and gift shop. You enter the Hidden Church by going to the basement of the new building, under the street, and up the stairs of the Hidden Church's residence area.
We got to see their kitchen, the box beds they slept in (like cupboards), and the room with the big fireplace.
Then we continued on and proceeded upstairs to the church via very, very narrow winding steps. It was obvious that they took out the center section of the three upper floors and made a nice church upstairs from their residence.
We sat in the pews and listened to the info on building the church and about the bishop. We also saw the pipe organ and the door where the people coming to church would enter.
As we started our walk towards home it was time to start searching for dinner. I know, it seems like we're always searching for food! On the way we stopped at an automatic dinner place. I put $3.50 Euro coins in the slot and open the door and got a warm breaded chicken sandwich. Pat got a roasted chicken thigh from the man behind the counter and two Coke Lights (their version of a Diet Coke). It was not bad, had a flavorful sauce on it, and I liked it for a fast small dinner.
Next we went to the de Bijenkorf store. It's their Nordstrom's. We're looking for a travel alarm clock (seems I forgot mine) and a better curling iron. Didn't find either. Walked home with a stop at the grocery store (yes we are now European; shopping for groceries every night). Not my favorite, but we have to carry everything.
Once home we again get to enjoy our canal view with the boats going by and ice cream a little later.
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