ROYAL PALACE, Tour

The grand staircase at the entrance leads into the enormous Burgerzaal, or Citizens’ Hall, 60 meters wide, 120 meters long and 25 meters high, covered throughout in white marble. 

The structure of the hall symbolizes a miniature universe. There are maps of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres on the floors, and a map of the stars in the Northern Sky. The Southern Sky was supposed to appear on the ceiling, but it was never painted, and the painting you can see, dating to the early 18th century, represents the Glory of Amsterdam.

Above the entrance portal is a statue representing the City of Amsterdam, looking downwards, i.e. with the world at its feet. Depicted on the left is the figure of Strength, with a lion’s skin on its head, and on the right, Knowledge, with the symbols of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.

At the corners of the Burgerzaal are four galleries, richly decorated with sculptural elements, which lead into the other halls. Depicted above the entrance arches are the four elements, Earth, Water, Air and Fire, which were believed to form the base of the universe in the 17th century.

At the back of the Palace, you’ll find the Schepenzaal, the Hall of the Scabini, or magistrates, where the chief of police used to meet with the nine magistrates of Amsterdam....