The wallen area is actually a very pretty pan of town and well worth a stroll for the architecture, if you need that sort of excuse. For a scenic view, face north on the bridge across Oudezijds Voorburgwal linking Lange Niezel and Korte Niezel.
Immediately to your left from here, at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40, is the Museum Amstelkring (Ph: 624 66 04), home to Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic), one of several 'clandestine' Catholic churches established after the Calvinist coup in 1578. Church property was confiscated and Catholics were only allowed to Worship in privately owned real estate so long as it wasn't recognisable as a church and the entrance was hidden. The wealthy nosier Jan Hartman had the house built in 1663, complete with a small church in the attic dedicated to St Nicholas. It remained in use until 1887, when the large St Nicolaaskerk on Prins Hendrikkade diagonally opposite Centraal Station opened its doors.
It then became a museum with the city's richest collection of Catholic church art, although occasional services, weddings and organ concerts are still held here. The museum is worth visiting for the 17th century living quarters, including the Dutch Classical Sael or reception hall (note the matching rectangular patterns on the floor, walls and ceiling), and of course for the church in the attic one of the few 'clandestine' churches that has remained intact. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday
from 1 pm, and admission is f10 (F7.50 with discounts).
