Amsterdam Private Tours

Amsterdam is a city with rich history and culture. There are a lot of monuments scattered throughout the city that provide the visitors a glimpse into its eventful past. These monuments are a great source for those who like to explore the tremendous history of this wonderful place. Below, we list some important monuments in Amsterdam that you can include in your Amsterdam private tours if you are a fan of history. They will help you to learn more about the impressive Dutch heritage.

The National Monument

The National monument was constructed in 1952 on Dam Square. This stone obelisk looks directly onto the Royal Palace. The base of this monument is supported by many statues that represent the renowned members of the Dutch resistance. Above these figures, there is a statue of a woman who holds a child, which remains as a symbol that signifies victory and peace. This wonderful monument commemorates World War II and other associated armed conflicts.

Homomonument

This monument was unveiled in 1987 after the campaigning and development that lasted for several years. The Homomonument, which is a large pink triangle, was built to pay tribute to the LGBTQ individuals and was the first monument in the world that is dedicated to LGBTQ people. It commemorates those people who are murdered during the Holocaust and remains as a symbol of the struggles that the LGBTQ people faced during the early periods and draws attention to the problems that they still face. Some celebrations and remembrances like Pride or Liberation Day take place around this monument.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House is the place where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II to escape from the Nazis. But eventually, they were discovered and were sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp where they died later. Today, the museum remains as a remembrance of the cruelties that Jewish people had to suffer during the Nazi period. It is a symbol of their pain and tears. Those who want to pay their tribute to Anne Frank, a true legend in history, can visit this museum where her memories still remain as a painful reminder.

Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

During the 16th century, the Netherlands was officially converted in to Protestantism. As a result of this, the Dutch government banned Catholicism to make sure that the Papal States couldn’t reclaim their dominion over the country again. Therefore, the Catholics had to practice their faith in secret and they were forced underground. They constructed several concealed churches during this period, and Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder was one among them. Fortunately, this small yet ornately decorated chapel still remains intact and is now converted into a great museum.

Hollandse Schouwburg

After Nazis invaded Amsterdam, they ghettoized the main Jewish neighborhood of the city. The city’s theatre was converted into a transportation center, where the Nazis used to round up people to send them to the transit camps on the Dutch-German border. Most of these people were cruelly murdered and later the theatre has been turned into a holocaust memorial.

The Portuguese Synagogue

During the 17th century, many people fleeing from Spanish and Portuguese inquisition took refuge in Amsterdam. This became a great destination for the Jewish refugees, as Amsterdam was among the first cities in Europe that allowed religious freedom. Later, these refugees became wealthy and built a huge synagogue near Jodenbreestraat. This became a significant place of worship for the Jewish community in Amsterdam.

The Oude Kerk

The Oude Kerk is an important historical structure in Amsterdam. It has a history of almost 1000 years, making this church the oldest building in the city. Originally the church was Catholic, but it was taken over by Protestants during the time of Reformation. The church has gone through many reconstructions and renovations over the years which resulted in the significant altering of its structure and look. However, the wooden ceiling of this church remained intact since 1390 and made it the most impressive and admired structure of its kind in the world.

The Royal Palace Amsterdam

This building, which is now known by the name Royal Palace, originally served as the headquarters of the city’s council. This magnificent structure was constructed in 1655 to represent the booming cultural and economic influence of the Amsterdam city. During the later stages, the Dutch Royal family got the ownership of the building and now uses it for ceremonial purposes. But the building open to the public and hosts different exhibitions based on history regularly.

The monuments listed above hold a significant place in the history of Amsterdam. Your Amsterdam private tours will not be complete without visiting them. All these buildings remain as marvelous structures that portray the prestigious history and culture of Amsterdam city.