Amsterdam Highlight: Museum Amstelkring (Our Lord in the Attic)

This museum takes you through the house that so many Catholics once went to in order to continue holding mass in secret. Much of the house is in its original condition, with rooms set as they would have been at the time it was in use. There was also a side door below the main staircase from an alley next to the house, where those attending mass entered. I was very surprised to see how large the church was. Built over three attics, there were some very interesting architectural moves to give the support it needed. It was built to hold 150 guests and had much seating, with booths along the side for important members of society, and more levels on the walls above to hold more people. There was a small, makeshift chapel and living quarters for the priest. I could not believe the detail and beauty of the building and décor. All of this in an attic was unreal to me. This church was an important place for so many people to be able to keep their faith alive, even after Catholicism was legalized again. The church was in use while they took the needed time to build new Catholic churches, and was thankfully preserved after it went out of use so we now can see and appreciate it.

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