At Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40, Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder takes you through a 17th-century canal house to a Catholic church concealed across its upper floors. Built when Catholics could not worship publicly, the church is the highlight of a museum that also preserves the home’s living rooms, kitchens and narrow stairways. An audio tour explains the rooms and the history behind them, with a separate version for children. Allow time to look closely at the period interiors, paintings and Dutch tiles as you make your way upstairs.
A house built around a hidden church
The canal house at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40 looks residential from the street. Its upper floors hold a Catholic church created in the 17th century, when Catholics were barred from holding public services. Private worship took place in concealed churches like this one, known in Dutch as schuilkerken. This example is among the few that remain in Amsterdam.
The church occupies the top three floors. Its location inside a private home allowed worship to continue out of public view. The building gives the museum two connected stories to tell: how people lived in a canal house and how Catholics practised their faith when public churches were unavailable to them.
Through the rooms and stairways
The museum route leads through the house, past living quarters, kitchens and bedrooms before reaching the church. Narrow corridors and steep staircases connect the levels, so the visit involves considerable climbing and some tight spaces. Low headroom is another feature of the route. Take your time moving between rooms, especially where the stairs narrow.
The domestic interiors offer a close look at the building’s original character. Period furnishings and decorations sit alongside paintings and Dutch tiles. The preserved rooms help put the church in context: this was a home as well as a place of worship, with everyday spaces arranged beneath the concealed sanctuary.
Inside the church
The attic church is the central stop. It is a full church, not a small private prayer room, and its scale becomes clear after the close quarters of the house below. The space includes an altar and an organ dating to 1794. The church and its furnishings show how a place of worship was fitted into the upper floors of a canal house.
A self-guided audio tour accompanies the visit, explaining the rooms and their history. You can follow its numbered stops at your own pace; children have a separate audio tour. An introductory film at the start gives background before you begin exploring. If you want more detail after the visit, the museum’s short book is available in Dutch and English.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long does a visit to Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder take?
Plan for about 1 to 2 hours. The audio tour is self-guided, so you can move at your own pace.
Is the museum suitable for visitors with mobility issues?
The route includes many narrow, steep stairs and low headroom. Consider these conditions when deciding whether the visit will work for you.
Does the museum have an audio tour?
Yes. There is a self-guided audio tour, plus a separate version for children.
Are there lockers at Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder?
Yes, free lockers are available.
