Koninklijk Paleis

 

Goden Dag

When I finished with the palace I visited an Amsterdam Institution called FEBO. It's an automat--remember those?--founded in 1941, when vituals were pretty thin on the ground. The food is basic and expensive for what you get. I paid 3 euros for a sausage stick, but I wanted the cultural experience. The real cultural experience, however, is drunks at midnight looking for a nosh. I'm not doing that.

I would classify the Royal Palace as a project visit, and very much worth it. I booked my ticket on line and reserved a time for my visit. I also renewed my Amsterdam Card. The young ladies at the service desk promised to report the technical difficulties in booking, and they were solved. The problem is that the Palace is not on the Amsterdam Card, so I had to pay for my ticket. Still worth it.

I took a leisurely stroll downtown and had enough time to explore some side streets. Then I got in line for the Palace entrance. I checked my bag at the cloakroom and picked up the free audio guide. I saw a few visitors going without it, but they are chumps. The audio guide is very informative and well done, but using it for the main tour means your visit will be well over an hour.

The building began its career as Amsterdam's Town Hall in the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic. The interior is gorgeous and very grand.Many of the original Baroque--and highly allegorical because, well, Baroque--remain. But Napoleon abolished the Dutch Republic and installed his baby brother Louis as King of Holland. That's when the town hall transmuted into a palace.

Louis remodeled his palace in the French Imperial style much of which remains, and when his brother was defeated and exiled, the House of Orange returned as monarchs, so a Royal Palace the building remained until this day. The current King and Queen, Willem Alexander and Maxima, live elsewhere, but show up for state occasions.  But it's time to let the photos do the talking.

The magnificent Hall of Citizens.

When you're invited to a state dinner, you can expect this place setting with the ceramics personally designed by the King and Queen.  Kingfishers and flowers were their favorites.

One of the more intimate state rooms with Louis Bonaparte remains. This is where you would stay on your formal state visit.

A room once used for trials. Check out the chandelier, which weights some1,000 pounds.

I got lost coming home, but this has happened before, and the thing with Amsterdam, one can just follow a canal. I emerged in a place I recognized and weary and footsore made my way home.

Tot Ziens