Located across the national monument,
The Royal Palace or Koninklijk Paleis dominates the Dam
square with its presence. The building doesn't look like a
palace and that is because it was originally built to replace
the Town Hall which was destroyed by fire. The architecture of
the building was intended to show the prestige and power of
Europe's commercial capital during the 17th century. The architect,
Jacob van Campen, faithfully followed the classical architectural
themes and what resulted is this imposing neoclassical facade.
The palace was built between 1648 and 1665 and for over a century
this was the city's seat of government. It was in 1808 when Louis
Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother crowned himself King of the
Netherlands that the building was transformed into a royal
residence. After Bonaparte left, William I, the new King of the
Netherlands gave the palace back to the city, but the government
of Amsterdam could not afford the huge cost of maintainance. In
1936 the Royal Palace became state property and the royal family
uses it only for official ceremonies. The interior of the palace
is open for public if no ceremonies are scheduled.
