Het Trippenhuis is a 17th-century canal-side mansion at Kloveniersburgwal 29 in Amsterdam. Built for merchant brothers Lodewijk and Hendrick Trip between 1660 and 1662, it is now home to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Its broad facade stands out among the city’s narrow canal houses, with chimney stacks shaped like mortars that refer to the family’s arms trade. Public access is limited, so plan to admire the exterior unless you have confirmed an open day or an event visit.
A mansion built for the Trip brothers
Lodewijk and Hendrick Trip had the house built between 1660 and 1662. Their wealth came from trade and arms dealing, and the facade includes a quiet reference to that business: the chimney stacks are shaped like mortars.
The building was designed as a double residence. Its width sets it apart from the tightly packed canal houses around it, and it became the widest residential facade in Amsterdam when it was completed.
Look across the canal
At Kloveniersburgwal 29, the Trippenhuis faces Klein Trippenhuis at number 26. The smaller house is only 2.4 metres wide, a striking contrast with its neighbour. A story associated with its construction tells of the Trip brothers’ coachman wishing for a house as wide as his master’s doorway; the brothers supposedly arranged to grant the wish.
The Trippenhuis now houses the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Interior access is restricted, so check for an open day or an event before setting out to see inside. The exterior remains a useful stop for architecture and Amsterdam history.
FAQ
Can you go inside Het Trippenhuis?
Access is not routinely open to the public. Check for a public open day or an event before planning an interior visit.
Where is Het Trippenhuis?
It is at Kloveniersburgwal 29 in Amsterdam, opposite Klein Trippenhuis at number 26.
What should I look for on the facade?
Look for the chimney stacks shaped like mortars, a reference to the Trip family’s arms trade.
