• Our Lord in the Attic Museum Amsterdam view of the historic building at the canals
  • Our Lord in the Attic Museum Amsterdam view of the historic internals of the building
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Our Lord in the Attic Museum Amsterdam

Our Lord in the Attic Museum Amsterdam

Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic) is one of the most extraordinary museums in the Netherlands, offering a rare glimpse into 17th-century religious life. Behind the façade of a typical Amsterdam canal house lies a secret Catholic church ingeniously built in the attic during the Protestant Reformation, when public Catholic worship was banned. The museum preserves the original house, including its ornate living quarters, kitchens, and the awe-inspiring hidden chapel.

Opening hours

  • Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Sunday: 13:00 – 18:00

How to get there

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38, 1012 GD Amsterdam, Netherlands

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From €16.95

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Our Lord in the Attic – A secret church in the heart of Amsterdam

Our Lord in the Attic Museum is one of the oldest museums in Amsterdam. It is located in a 17th-century canal house. Hidden in the attic is a complete Catholic church, built when public worship was not allowed.

What to See

  • A full 17th-century house, preserved with its original rooms
  • The secret Catholic church hidden across the top floors
  • Chapel, altar, wooden pews, and organ from the 1600s
  • Stories of Amsterdam’s religious tolerance and daily life
  • Modern entrance building with audio tour and exhibits

Why Visit

  • Step into a unique piece of hidden history
  • Learn how people kept faith in private
  • Explore a real home from the Dutch Golden Age
  • Quiet, powerful experience in the center of the city

The Museum

Our Lord in the Attic (*Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder*) opened as a museum in 1888. It tells the story of faith, freedom, and private worship. The hidden church was built around 1660 and could seat 150 people. Today, it offers a rare view of life and belief in the 17th century.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38, Amsterdam
  • Open: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 – 17:00; Sunday from 13:00
  • Tickets: €16.00 (adults), €8.00 (ages 5–17), free under 5
  • Free with Museumkaart
  • Facilities: Modern entrance, shop, café, and audio guide

Our Lord in the Attic is perfect for visitors who want to explore hidden places, faith stories, and real Dutch history.

Some Highlights of Our Lord in the Attic Museum Amsterdam

Baroque-Style Altar

The Baroque-style altar at Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder is the visual and spiritual centerpiece of the secret attic church. Richly adorned with gold leaf accents, sculpted ornamentation, and soft pink marble tones, it exemplifies the expressive grandeur of 17th-century Catholic design—executed on a compact, hidden scale. The altar features classical columns, an elaborately carved tabernacle, and a painted altarpiece, all carefully integrated into the narrow attic space. Despite the restrictions of its time, the altar radiates sacredness and beauty, embodying the resilience of faith and the ingenuity of clandestine worship during the Reformation.

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Baptism of Christ by Jacob de Wit (1716)

Jacob de Wit's Baptism of Christ (1716) is the central altarpiece of the hidden church in Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, embodying the spiritual heart of the Baroque-style interior. The painting depicts the moment Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, with the Holy Spirit descending above in the form of a dove. De Wit’s composition is serene yet powerful—Christ stands in a gentle contrapposto, his figure illuminated by divine light, while soft clouds and cherubs frame the sacred scene. The work blends theatricality with grace, using rich color and delicate detailing typical of De Wit's style. Installed above the attic altar, the painting was designed to inspire devotion within a private, clandestine space, underscoring the quiet strength of hidden faith during an era of religious restriction.

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17th-Century Domestic Furnishings

The museum’s 17th-century living quarters showcase original furnishings like Delftware, wooden cabinets, and tiled kitchens, offering a vivid glimpse into daily life during the Dutch Golden Age. These details reflect the modest wealth of a Catholic merchant household and create a richly immersive setting that connects domestic life with the hidden church above.

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