Central Amsterdam apartment

Our house was built in 1647 at the height of Amsterdam`s "Golden Age". The house is a designated `Rijksmonument` which means it is a national heritage site of the Netherlands, analogous to a Grade 1 listing in the UK.

Before going any further, I should mention that the we live in the upper part of the house and this means that you need to be comfortable with climbing stairs. There are three flights to the living room level and then another set to take you up to the bedroom. By Dutch standards they are not especially steep but they do need to be climbed

Everything was fully renovated in 2017 in consultation with the `Rijksmonument committee`. There are many restrictions on what can (and cannot!) be changed in a house such as this. For example, the wooden floorboards which are contemporaneous to the house were left largely untouched during the renovations as were the beams in the ceilings which are integral to the structure of the house.

The windows remain single glazed (and somewhat draughty) and are a critical component of ventilation in a house from this period. However, heating, electrical and water systems have been fully updated to 21st century standards and we think you will find the house extremely comfortable.

The house also has quite a history; Rembrandt moved to the Jordaan in 1655 after becoming bankrupt. He had to sell his house on Jordenbreestraat and move to a rented property at Rozengracht 184 (which was still a canal at this time). Here his former maid Henfrickje Stoffels and his son Titus started an art and antiques shop. Rembrandt himself stopped managing his financial affairs and became an employee of the art-shop, which paid him the costs of living and lodging.

However he never stopped painting and he opened a studio here at Bloemgracht 1 where he gave (paid) lessons. He also painted his final pictures of the Westerkerk (where he is buried in an unmarked grave) in this house. We believe that he painted from the far corner window by Jonathan`s desk

About the location

The apartment is right on the corner of the beautiful Prinsengracht and Bloemgracht canals. It`s a fantastic location for a visit.

It`s right opposite the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk and very close to transport links. But the immediate environs are surprisingly quiet as the tourists tend to be across the canal, walking past the Anne Frank House!

If you like shopping, the house is just steps from the charming shops and restaurants of the famous Jordaan district as well as the 9 Streets (de 9 Straatjes).

If you like markets, you should take a walk to the organic farmers market. This is held every Saturday in the shadow of the Norderkerk which is a short stroll up the Prinsengracht.

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