Royal Palace in Amsterdam, Netherlands

A highlight of the class, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam is one of four palaces in the Netherlands still at the disposal of Queen Beatrix, who uses it for official ceremonies and sometimes for state guests. The Royal Palace in Amsterdam contains an impressive collection of furniture, sculptures, clocks and chandeliers from the 18th and 19th centuries. Today's Royal Palace is considered one of the most significant cultural and historical sights of Amsterdam from the 18th century. The architect of this only secular monumental building in the city is Jacob van Kampen. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is located on the west side of Dam Square, in the heart of Amsterdam, directly opposite the war memorial. The palace in Amsterdam since June 14, 2009 is open for visits, working without a day off, every day from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The building of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam was built in the 18th century, in the period 1648-1655, after the end of the 80-year war with Spain, and was initially used as a municipal building - it functioned as the City Hall of Amsterdam. The Royal Palace in Amsterdam is built on 13,659 pylons driven into the marshy ground. The large sculptures of Artus Cullien adorning the pediment, the statues of Francois and Hemoni, and the bells allegorically represent Amsterdam surrounded by Neptune and sea creatures. Jacob van Kampen's classic design is a mirror of public attitudes after a Dutch victory.

Undoubtedly, the grandeur of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam exudes from the large Bürgerzaal or so-called. People's Hall. Adhering to the desire to recreate the halls typical of ancient Rome, this vast and 30-meter-high hall runs the entire length of the palace. The Bürgerzaal features a marble floor inlaid with maps of the eastern and western hemispheres, as well as epic sculptures by Cullen.

The building was later converted into a palace by the will of Napoleon I. From 1808 to 1813, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam was the home of King Louis Napoleon, who was the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. From 1935, the building passed into the possession of the state, and its owner became the queen.