Adults (18+)€18.00
Explore Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, an authentic 17th-century canal house with a fascinating secret: a complete Catholic church hidden in its attic. Discover domestic rooms and experience the remarkable history of religious freedom in Amsterdam through this preserved monument.
Step inside a preserved 17th-century canal house and discover 'Our Lord in the Attic,' a clandestine Catholic church.
Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, also known as Museum Amstelkring, is one of Amsterdam's most unique house museums. It preserves a complete Catholic church built discreetly within the attic of a 17th-century canal house during a period when public Catholic worship was forbidden. The museum showcases restored living quarters and domestic spaces, offering insight into Golden Age life. Visitors can explore this intricate monument, learn its history, and view pieces from its collection.
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder is situated on Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40 in Amsterdam's historic Burgwallen Oude Zijde neighborhood. Its central position in this area, renowned for its preserved 17th-century canal houses, allows visitors to experience the unique context of a clandestine church integrated into the city's urban fabric and domestic architecture from the Golden Age.
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40
1012 GD Amsterdam
Burgwallen Oude Zijde, North Holland, NL
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder is located in the heart of Amsterdam's old city centre, easily accessible by public transport or car. The museum is a five-minute walk from Central Station and Nieuwmarkt metro station, or streetcar stops like Dam. If you arrive by car, parking garages are available at Nieuwendijk, De Bijenkorf, or Central Station. Visitors can use the provided cloakroom and lockers for their belongings.
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, one of Amsterdam's oldest house museums, offers a unique journey into 17th-century life and religious history. Visitors explore a meticulously preserved canal house, navigating various domestic rooms that illustrate daily existence during the Golden Age in Amsterdam. The highlight is the remarkably spacious Catholic church discreetly concealed within the attic, a testament to a period when public Catholic worship was forbidden. This extraordinary monument provides vivid insight into clandestine religious practices and the architectural ingenuity of the time, creating a distinct visitor experience. The museum's collection and ongoing research further enrich understanding of this significant cultural heritage.
The building that houses Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder in Amsterdam was originally constructed in 1630. Between 1661 and 1663, the top three floors were ingeniously transformed into a clandestine house church, providing a space for religious dissenters to worship privately. This historic site then reopened to the public as a museum in 1888, becoming the second-oldest museum in Amsterdam. Formerly known as Museum Amstelkring, it has since been recognized as Rijksmonument 6107 and was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2024.
During recent renovations at Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Museum Amstelkring), conservators uncovered fascinating details about two 18th-century putti figures. Initially overlooked, these figures were found to be designed as unique candle holders and have now been restored to their original placement next to the main altar, offering a new perspective on the church's decorative history.
During recent renovations at Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder, construction workers discovered a pair of old leather shoes hidden beneath the floorboards. Museum conservators have since investigated this peculiar find, exploring the historical practice of concealing shoes within buildings, possibly for protective purposes, though their exact age and reason for placement remain a captivating enigma.
Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder has joined the Canon van Nederland network, highlighting its role in Dutch history. The museum's collection team recently uncovered significant artifacts from the Dutch Revolt era, including the memorial tablet of Jacob Buyck, the last Catholic pastor of the Oude Kerk, and a rare ablution chalice. These pieces offer unique insights into the challenging religious landscape of 16th-century Amsterdam.
Explore the re-evaluation of Adriaen van de Velde's Passion Series, originally criticized as a 'rush job'. New research reveals the artist's genuine commitment to these works for the hidden church, challenging previous assumptions and offering a deeper understanding of his motivations and artistic integrity within the Dutch Golden Age.
Discover the unique spaces of Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder in Amsterdam through these images. Visuals highlight the remarkable hidden 17th-century Catholic church in the attic, complete with its ornate altar, religious art, and chandeliers. You will also see the charming exterior of the canal house and glimpses into the domestic rooms, featuring period details and characteristic narrow staircases.
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