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Royal Palace Amsterdam
As soon as you walk into Dam Square you'll see that the Royal Palace is definitely the centerpiece. Today, the palace is used mostly for state visits and special functions that are held by the Queen. It also holds 2 exhibitions each year. The palace actually has a very rich history.
Royal Palace Amsterdam
Admission
Admission prices:
Adults €7.50
seniors €6.50
children aged 5 to 16 €6.50
children under 5 are free
Audio tours are available in Dutch English German French Spanish and Italian.
Guided tours for adult groups of 10 to 20 cost €75 during the weekday and €100 on the weekend.
Guided tour is for children's groups of 5 to 15 cost €75 during the weekday and €100 on the weekend
Opening Hours
Open from 12 PM to 5 PM each day.
In 1648 the politicians in Amsterdam needed a new building to act as City Hall. It was important for the city to have a dominant building in the center of town. At the time Amsterdam was the world's leading trading center. Many people began to settle in Amsterdam and it was necessary to have a much larger government. To add to the grandeur of the building many of the famous Dutch artists were commissioned to help decorate the building. In 1655 the new town hall finally opened its doors. At the time it was the envy of many other cities in Europe.
In 1808 with all the changes that were happening in Europe, Louis Napoleon, Napoleon's brother, had become the King of Holland and the town hall now became his royal residence. The building was transformed from the offices of the Town hall to what could be described as a lavish French Royal Palace. Napoleon grew tired of his brothers ways in Holland and decided to put an end to his brother's activities. Napoleon forced him to leave the country and he left much of the wealth behind. Today Amsterdam is one of the best collections of furniture dating from the Napoleonic era. Napoleon actually spend one night in the palace during his reign as emperor of France.
In 1813 when Prince William of Orange returned to Amsterdam the city allowed to use the palace is a royal residence ever since this time the palace has been used for royal events and other national celebrations.