Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In 1661 the Catholic merchant Jan Hartman, a former journeyman baker from Coesfeld, bought the canal house on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal together with two smaller houses on the alley behind it. Because Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith openly in the Protestant-run city, he had the attics of all three houses joined into a church, which came into use in 1663. House churches like this were officially banned but tolerated by the city council.

The Zolderkerk held around 150 worshippers, who entered through a side door on the Heintje Hoekssteeg. The first priest was the Augustinian Petrus Parmentier. After Hartman died in 1668, his debt-ridden family had to sell the property, but the church remained in use into the 19th century.

When the new Sint-Nicolaaskerk opened nearby in 1887, the attic church was no longer needed. Catholic Amsterdammers saved the house from demolition, and in 1888 it opened as a museum, then called Museum Amstelkring. As early as 1891, the young museum acquired Pieter Coecke van Aelst's triptych of the Descent from the Cross.

Following extensive restoration, the museum gained a modern entrance building in 2015, linked to the canal house by an underground passage. The house church is part of the Canon of Dutch History and holds the European Heritage Label as a symbol of freedom of conscience; Mass is still celebrated there on many first Sundays of the month.

Highlights

• Fully preserved attic church from 1663 spanning three houses
• Baroque altar with an altarpiece by Jacob de Wit (1716) and a fold-out pulpit hidden in a column base
• Grand Sael (parlor) with marble floor and a fireplace bearing Hartman's family coat of arms
• Pieter Coecke van Aelst's Descent from the Cross triptych (c. 1530), freshly restored
• Original 17th-century living rooms, kitchens and box beds

Permanent exhibitions

• Het monument – A walk through the 17th-century canal house with its living rooms, kitchens and box beds, all the way up to the hidden attic church.

Founded

1888

Operated by

Stichting Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

Director

Birgit Büchner

Visitors per year

approx. 104,002 (2024)

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, as well as with the I amsterdam City Card, Museumvriend card, Stadspas, Vereniging Rembrandt and ICOM – reserve the free ticket in advance in the online ticket shop. The VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART is not accepted. Timed tickets recommended but not required; exchanges possible, no refunds. Cashless only. The Museumkaart can be purchased at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Only the modern entrance building (café, shop, temporary exhibition room, restroom) is accessible by elevator; the canal house with the attic church has many narrow, steep staircases and no elevator. For visitors with limited mobility there is the free “CoVisit”: a virtual tour via a smartphone link to a companion (registration recommended). Audio tour “Samen zie je meer” for blind and visually impaired visitors with a tactile model and touch objects; guided tours for visually impaired groups. The audio tour can also be read along via QR code or listened to through hearing aids; seating and folding stools available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Search game with the ladybug “Kapoentje” for ages 5 to 10 (booklet included in admission; little boxes to open throughout the house) and the “Feest!” audio tour for ages 10 to 12, with a diploma. During the Saint Nicholas and Christmas season, the special program “Sint op Solder” (from November 14, 2026). Children's birthday parties available. Strollers cannot be taken into the historic house because of the stairs.

Getting there & parking

The house is tucked away in the middle of the De Wallen red-light district; enter through the modern entrance building next to the canal house.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café on the first floor of the entrance building (since the 2024 renovation; the FAQ still places it one floor up) serving coffee and pastries, accessible without a ticket, as is the museum shop. Unattended cloakroom and free lockers; large bags and backpacks must be left there; no space for large suitcases. No gift vouchers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings in the attic church (ceremony only; receptions via the partner venue Olofskapel), inquiries to trouwen@opsolder.nl. Public spaces in the entrance building and the canal house are available for receptions, talks, meetings and film shoots, inquiries to boekingen@opsolder.nl.

Plan your visit