Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam

The beautiful Portuguese Synagogue is one of the most important legacies of the vibrant Jewish community in Amsterdam. Until the Holocaust, Jews made up more than 10% of the population of Amsterdam. During the 16th and 17th century, many Jews that faced persecution in Spain and Portugal fled to Amsterdam. The religious tolerance they enjoyed in the Dutch Republic was unheard of in the rest of Europe. The Amsterdam Sephardic community became one of the largest and richest Jewish communities in Europe during the Dutch Golden Age, and their very large synagogue reflected this.

The Entrance

There is an inscription in Hebrew above the entrance that refers to Psalm 5:8 “In the abundance of Thy lovingkindness will I come into Thy house”. There is also reference to the date 1672 which is an interesting curiosity. This was the year in which the synagogue was supposed to be ready. However, due to the war in 1672 which was “The Year of Disaster” it was not possible to finish the construction.

History of the Portuguese Synagogue

The Sephardic Jews who settled in Amsterdam in the late 16th century commissioned Elias Baumans and Daniel Stalpaert to design the synagogue. It was to be the biggest in the world and was inspired by the architecture of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Like many of the buildings in Amsterdam, its foundations consist of wooden piles driven into the ground. They started building in 1671 and in 1675 the Portuguese Synagogue opened. It cost the community around 186,000 florins. Minor restorations have been made, but the synagogue still looks pretty much the same as 340 years ago.

Architecture of the Portuguese Synagogue

The architecture shows the self-confidence and wealth of the Jewish community in Amsterdam. It was the largest synagogue of its time and one of the biggest buildings in Amsterdam. A model of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem provided inspiration for the architects. Around the main building, there are various offices and archives, the rabbinate, a mortuary and the Ets Haim (Tree of Life) library that holds valuable collections of Sephardic manuscripts.

Interior of the Portuguese Synagogue

The Interior of the Portuguese Synagogue is the longitudinal Iberian-Sephardic type. The Holy Ark which is situated in the South East corner faces Jerusalem. The Tebah stands on the other side of the room opposite the ark. The service is led from the Tebah.

Interior of the Portuguese Synagogue

The interior of the synagogue is lit by 1000 candles held in two enormous brass chandeliers. Additional light streams through the 72 windows. The upper section of the synagogue is the women’s gallery which is supported by twelve stone columns. These represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

Opening hours for visitors

It is open to the public and guided tours can be arranged in advance. Note that the synagogue is closed on Saturdays.
April 1 – October 31: Sunday till Friday 10.00 – 16.00 hrs.
November 1 – March 31: Sunday until Thursday 10.00 – 16.00. Friday 10.00 – 14.00.
For more information visit the Jewish Cultural Quarter website.

The Winter Synagogue

The area surrounding the main building also includes a winter synagogue with central heating and electric lighting. This is the site of the congregation’s regular weekly services and was created during the 1955–1959 renovation in the former Etz Hayim seminary auditorium.

Location

The Portuguese Synagogue is located in the centre of Amsterdam near Waterlooplein.

Address: Mr. Visserplein 3, 1011 RD Amsterdam

Photo Tips

– Cameras are permitted and photos are possible but flash photography is not allowed
– Larger camera bags are not permitted in the Jewish Cultural Museum

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Oude Kerk is located to the west of Nieuwmarkt in the heart of Amsterdam’s red light district. It was originally called St Nicolaas Church but following the construction of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) on Dam Square, it was naturally referred to as the Old Church. The old church was actually more than the church. Along with the square, it was a meeting place for the citizens of the city & traders visiting on business. Many of Amsterdam’s famous and wealthy citizens are buried here. Today, its primary function is an exhibition venue for art and photography. It’s also the venue for the famous world press photo exhibition each year.

Iconoclasm & Alteration

The interior is very basic. It was stripped of all its Catholic icons during the iconoclasm in 1556 which swept from Flanders up to Amsterdam. This event was the precursor to the alteration which took place in 1578. At this time, the city changed from Catholic to Protestant. The Calvinists looted the Catholic Church, destroying their treasures. Among these treasures were pictures, altars and statues. The ceiling was out of reach- perhaps too much trouble to reach and as a result remained unharmed. This huge wooden ceiling is claimed to be the largest in western Europe. The stained-glass windows were also spared during the looting. Although the church is now quite bare, the great stained-glass windows, English Spiral Staircases, ceiling paintings and world-famous organ are impressive sights.

Vatter-Müller Organ

The organ in Oude Kerk was dedicated to St Nicolaas. It has eight pairs of bellows and 4000 pipes. Its pipework is cased in oak and surrounded by typical figures. The organ is a glorious sight built by Christian Vater in 1724. Fourteen years later it was renovated by Johann Caspar Müller and is known as the Vatter-Müller organ.

Stained Glass

The most beautiful stained-glass can be found in the three windows of Maria chapel, dating back to the 16th century. The images depict scenes from the Virgin Mary’s life. One of the other stained-glass windows in the old church contains a series of coat of arms. These represent each of the city’s mayors and aldermen between the years 1578 and 1807.

Rembrandt

Amongst the many graves in the old church, is that of Saskia Van Uylenburgh – Rembrandt’s first wife. She died in 1642. The grave can be found in the Weitkopers Chapel which is opposite the South Doorway (visitor entrance) to the church. The grave number 29K and is marked Saskia. The red door which leads into the old sacristy has an inscription above which reads “Marry in haste, repent at leisure”. Rembrandt passed to this door to announce his marriage.

Spire

The church spire which was built in 1565 by Joost Bilhamer. It offers splendid views over the Oude Zijde. The tower also contains a 47 Bell Carillon built by François Hemony. This 17th-century addition can be heard ringing out over the city every Saturday afternoon. The tower is open to the public between April and September for accompanied tours.

Misericords

The quire of the church contains special folding choir seats called Misericords which date back to 1480. These are designed to help the choir to take the weight off their feet during lengthy services. Beneath each of the seats, there are humorous carvings which illustrate traditional Dutch proverbs, folk myths and scenes from everyday life.

Restoration

During the restoration work in 1955, the church foundations were reinforced and several graves had to be emptied. The whole interior of the church was overhauled, including the stained glass windows.  Thick layers of blue-grey paint on the vault and beams of the church were removed. To everyone’s surprise, this revealed beautiful 15th-century paintings from the period before the Alteration. For latest information check out the Oude Kerk website.

Location

The Old Church is located in the centre of Amsterdam between Damrak and The Red Light District.

Address: Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX Amsterdam,

Photo Tips

– Stained-glass windows
– Great Organ
– Misericords
– Painted Ceilings
– Saskia Rembrandt tomb
– English Spiral Stairs
– Shoot exterior from Oudezijds Voorburgwal near Oudekennissteeg or Korte Nietzel bridges
– Bronze sculpture of a female breast set in the cobblestone of Oudekerksplein
– Climb the tower for a great panoramic view of the city

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Rembrandt lived in the house at Jodenbreestraat 4 in Amsterdam between 1639 and 1658. This large house built in 1606 cost him 13,000 guilders which would be the equivalent of €150,000 today. Rembrandt was a famous artist at that time and was earning good money. He agreed to pay for the house in instalments but did not keep up the repayments. These financial problems led to his bankruptcy in 1656. Two years later, the creditors sold his house and all his possessions at an auction. After the sale, Rembrandt moved to a smaller rented house on Rozengracht 184 where he lived until he died in 1669.

The inventory of Rembrandt’s possessions which was made for the auction was not destroyed. This list details his furniture, paintings, prints, drawings, statues, weapons and other objects. It was used as the basis for replicating the interior of the house together with some of Rembrandt’s sketches and paintings.

Kitchen

The kitchen was a warm comfortable room which also served as a dining room. A door in the kitchen leads into the small courtyard which contained an outdoor toilet. The kitchen also contained a box bed for the maid.

Entrance Hall

The front door at street level leads into the entrance hall for the house. This hall contained many paintings which Rembrandt was selling. Some of the work was his own but he also sold work from other painters.

Living Room

A door from the entrance hall leads into the reception room. This elegant room was where Rembrandt carried out his art dealing business. The walls contained dozens of paintings from which customers could choose. He sold his own paintings works year and those of his pupils. The pillars on the fireplace are marble. The plinth appears to be marble but was actually was painted so that it looked like marble.

Rembrandt was an innovative artist and developed techniques for etching using copper plates. From these copper plates, he would create prints. The copperplate would be placed onto a wooden press and moist paper would be laid on top. after pressing the paper the paper would be hanged on a line to dry. Staff at the museum give free demonstrations of the etching and printing process.

Studio

There was a large studio in the house where Rembrandt painted his masterpieces between 1639 and 1658. The room was facing north which provided a consistent light through the windows. The position of the easel in this room can be seen in one of his drawings. Rembrandt would get his assistants to make the paint and prepare the canvases. Staff at the Rembrandt House Museum give demonstrations showing how the oil paint was made. They also explain how all the materials for making the paint were sourced.

Store Room

Next to the studio, Rembrandt had a room in which he kept many rare objects from other countries. He also kept albums of artwork there containing around 8000 prints in total.

Living Room

Rembrandt’s living room also served as his bedroom. The beds in this year there were a lot shorter than the one’s today. This is because people would sleep partly upright position to prevent a perceived danger of blood pooling in the head.

Gallery

Rembrandt was one of the greatest graphic talents of all time. His contemporaries admired the freedom of his drawing and his dramatic lighting effects experiments with etching techniques. Subsequent generations of artists have drawn inspiration and ideas from Rembrandts prints. He would often very printing process in order to generate unique prints from the same plate.

Children Discovery Trail

Rembrandt House Museum is a great place for children to learn about art and be inspired. Workbooks are available at reception for the kids to take part in a discovery trail.

location

The Rembrandt House Museum is located in the centre of Amsterdam near Waterlooplein.

Address: Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam

photo tips

Like many museums, the lighting is quite dim in most of the rooms. Increase your ISO as high as possible and if necessary increase your aperture.
Most of these photos were taken with an iPhone and enhanced using the Snapseed App.
Tripods are allowed but permission is required.
Small camera bags are allowed to be carried through the rooms but larger backpacks are not allowed.

sights nearby

Blauwbrug

Moses and Aaron Church

Waterlooplein

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Munttoren (mint tower) is a remnant of the Regulierspoort which was a gateway into the city. The tower was part of the old medieval city wall built between 1480 and 1487. It had two towers separated by a gate & guardhouse. After the city’s expansion, this city defence was no longer needed and lost its function.

With the exception of a glass works the wall right of the gate was demolished in 1613.

In 1616, a guardroom was placed on the other side, Two years later, the city gate caught fire. It was suspected that the fire originated in the glass house, but the fire may have originated in the tower where the guard was staying

In 1620, the tower was rebuilt. It was designed by Hendrick de Keyser (the town stonemason) in an Amsterdam Renaissance style. The base was an octagonal structure and the upper part featured a graceful open spire. The clock at the top had four clock faces and carillon of bells. The tower is approximately 40 meters (130 feet) tall.

Due to the war with France and England in 1672, it was not possible to safely transport silver and gold from the mints in Dordrecht and Enkhuizen. Coins were then produced in this tower in Amsterdam leading to its present name Munttoren. The coins were made in the guardhouse.

In 1865 and 1877, the so-called English houses built in 1624 on the site of the glass house, were demolished. This allowed the widening of the bridge over the Singel canal. making it decided disappeared Sheep Square. The new square was named Sophia Square, the deceased first wife of King William III, but was soon called La Monnaie or simply Currency popularly. It was only in 1917 that the official name of the square.

The guardhouse was replaced in 1877 by the present building in neo-renaissance, conducted under the direction of W, Springer. The tower which used to dominate the area became increasingly overshadowed by surrounding buildings, such as the Carlton Hotel in the Vijzelstraat.

Munttoren is one of the five towers in Amsterdam that hold carillons made by the brothers Francois and Pieter Hemony. The other bells can be found at the Oudekerk, Zuiderkerk, the Westerkerk and the dome of the Royal Palace. The carillon in Munttoren now consists of 38 bells, 11 more than the original number. On Saturdays, between 2 and 3 p.m., Gideon Bodden, the Amsterdam city carillonneur gives a live concert on the bells.

Scale models of Munttoren Amsterdam are exhibited at Madurodam in The Hague and at Mini-Europe in Brussels.

Why Visit Munttoren?

– It’s a nice reminder of the old city for those interested in the history of Amsterdam.

– It’s a good opportunity to hear carillon bells playing some tunes.

– The Delftware gift shop will appeal to those looking for the better than average quality souvenirs.

– Munttoren Amsterdam is also really accessible and close by to other attractions such as the flower market and Rembrandtplein.

Munttoren

location

Munttoren stands on the busy Muntplein square, where the Amstel river and the Singel canal meet, near the flower market and the eastern end of the Kalverstraat shopping street.

Muntplein
1012 WR AMSTERDAM

photo tips

Nice views of the tower from Reguliersbreestraat (leading to Rembrandtplein) or from Halvemaansbrug bridge across the Amstel.

sights nearby

Rembrandtplein

Bloemenmarkt

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Moses and Aaron Church

location

The Aaron and Moses Church is about a twenty-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station to Rembrandtplein passing De Waag, Café de Sluyswacht & Rembrandthuis. Nearest Metro: From Central Station, take Metro 54 to Waterlooplein which takes about 3 mins, and continue on foot to Blauwbrug.

photo tips

– Two plaques from the original houses Moses & Aaron can be found at the back of the church (Jodenbreestraat).
– The inside of the church can be seen – the church is open to the public for mass & prayer.
– The front facade is best photographed when the Waterlooplein market is closed.

sights nearby

Blauwbrug – Amstel

waterlooplein market stalls

Rembrandthuis

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The Bloemenmarkt Flower Market is a floating market located on Singel. In the past, traders would sail in from the Amstel and sell flowers directly from their boats. The modern-day market uses a permanent floating structure and is primarily a place to buy souvenirs & flower bulbs rather than fresh flowers.

The present-day market is a big tourist attraction selling not only fresh cut flowers, but bulbs which can be exported directly overseas. The stalls are a great place to buy gifts & souvenirs of Holland and Amsterdam. The opposite side of the narrow street offers an interesting and somewhat unusual selection of shops and cafés including the Christmas Palace shop where you can buy Christmas decorations 365 days of the year!

It’s well worth viewing the back of the market stalls from the other side of the Singel with the canal houses as an atmospheric backdrop.

The market is open from 9:00 -17:30 Monday to Saturday and 11:00-17:30 on Sundays.

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The post Magere Brug first appeared on amsterdam for visitors.

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Blauwbrug

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Rembrandtplein

Rembrandtplein is a historic small square between Amstel & Herengracht containing cafes, hotels, bars, nightclubs. It is named after the world-famous Dutch artist Rembrandt. The Rembrandtplein square dates back to the middle-ages when …

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Blauwbrug is one of the most richly decorated bridges in Amsterdam with ornate lanterns and crowns. Underneath, it has three openings for to cater for the steady flow of canal boats passing along the Amstel.

The current bridge which is constructed of stone was built in 1883 for the World Colonial Exhibition which attracted thousands of visitors to Amsterdam. The design by architects W.H. Springer and B. de Greef drew inspiration from the Pont Alexander III in Paris. The following World Colonial Exhibition six years later in Paris delivered the iconic Eiffel Tower as it’s main attraction.

location

Blauwbrug is a twenty-minute brisk walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Head towards De Waag, Café de Sluyswacht, Rembrandthuis, Waterlooplein and finally Opera.

Metro: Take Metro 54 from Central Station to Waterlooplein which takes about 3 mins and continue on foot to Blauwbrug.

photo tips

Use the natural lines of the bridge walls to lead the eye into the photo.

Shoot at sunset in order to create a silhouette from the pillars.

Look for detail such as the crown and lamps on the decorative pillars.

Magere Brug framed by the pillars of Blauwbrug

sights nearby

Blauwbrug is just a short walk from Rembrandtplein and Waterlooplein with its famous open-air market. Look further along the river Amstel and you will see Magere Brug. This is also just a couple of minutes on foot.

Rembrandtplein

Magere Brug – Amstel

Reguliersgracht

Rembrandthuis

Waterlooplein

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The Rembrandtplein square dates back to the middle-ages when it was used by local farmers as a butter market. It didn’t receive it’s current name until 1896 when the cast iron statue of Rembrandt was moved into the centre of the square.

The bronze cast sculptures in front of the Rembrandt statue first appeared in the square in 2006 to mark the 400th birthday of Rembrandt. They are a 3D portrayal of his most famous painting “Nachtwacht” – The Night Watch. On a sunny day, people can be found relaxing on the pleasant green area behind the statues.

Note – Rembrandt House Museum is not located in this square but on Jodenbreestraat which is 10 minutes away by foot.

Location

Rembrandtplein is about a twenty-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station to Rembrandtplein passing through Dam Square and Rokin.

Nearest tram: Amsterdam, Rembrandtplein – Tram 4, 9 & 14

Photo tips

It’s a popular location for tourists – difficult to get scenic photos without unwanted people in the shot. Arrive before 9:00 am to beat the crowd although you may be shooting into the sun which rises behind the statues. It is still possible to get some nice close-ups.

Try coming back in afternoon / early evening for better lighting conditions. Wait patiently and you may get group-shot of the statues without other tourists entering the frame.

Sights Nearby

Rembrandtplein is centrally located with picturesque canals of Herengracht, Keizersgracht & Prinsengracht to the south and the Flower Market just a stone’s throw away. The Blauwbrug with views over the Amstel towards Magere Brug is just a short walk.

Blauwbrug – Amstel

150 meters – 5 minutes walk

Bloemenmarkt Flower Market

Reguliersgracht

150 meters – 5 minutes walk

Munttoren

Magere Brug – Amstel

150 meters – 5 minutes walk

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