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The Begijnhof is a late medieval enclosed courtyard with the houses of beguines (Roman Catholic women living in a semi-religious community). It is a very picturesque group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings. House number 34 is the oldest home in Amsterdam. The courtyard also has a Reformed Church and a hidden Catholic chapel. Surprisingly, it feels like a serene oasis as it is surrounded by the chaotic Kalverstraat and Spui. Entry to the courtyard and surrounding gardens is free, but be careful not to disturb the local community still living here.
The Begijnhof is one of the oldest hofjes in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings, centre on it. As the name suggests, it was originally a béguinage. Today it is also the site of two churches, the Catholic Miracle Church and the English Reformed Church.
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Schuttersgalerij
Just inside the arched gateway to the Amsterdam Museum is a hidden passageway with fifteen enormous 17th-century paintings; entrance is free to the public during museum hours. The collection features massive and meticulously realistic portraits of wealthy citizens from the Dutch Golden Age, the same class of subjects Rembrandt depicted in the most famous of Civic Guard paintings, the "Night Watch".
A museum about the history of Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam Dungeon is a horror tour through several dark chambers with live actors.
You'd think one museum about torture would be enough, but no, not in Amsterdam. However, this was the first torture museum in the city centre, and is at least somewhat more authentic than the copycat. The museum depicts the history of different torturous techniques used over the centuries. The lighting is bad, the corridors are small and the price an absolute rip-off. You can walk through it in 15-30 minutes.
The Allard Pierson Museum is the archaeological museum of the University of Amsterdam. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Cyprus, the Greek world, Etruria and the Roman Empire are revived in this museum. Art objects and utensils, dating from 4000 B.C. till 500 A.D. give a good impression of everyday life, mythology and religion in Antiquity.
The legacy of Dutch football started in the 1970s, when Total Football, a revolutionary Dutch style of football, shook the world. The Netherlands is the best football nation that never won the World Cup: it lost the final three times, a national trauma. It did win the European Cup in 1988 lead by star player Marco van Basten. This museum has four floors dedicated to "Oranje", and a small cinema that shows a 20-minute film with historic football moments. Especially recommended for Germans.