Amsterdam · Hidden church museum

Our Lord in the Attic: Amsterdam's Secret Church

Behind the facade of an ordinary canal house in De Wallen hides a complete 17th-century church, built when Catholic worship had to happen in secret. Here's its story, what to see inside and how to plan your visit.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team · October 3, 2026

Our Lord in the Attic at a glance

Area: Oudezijds Voorburgwal, De Wallen (old centre). Allow: 60–90 minutes. Entry: paid, timed tickets. Best time: weekday mornings. Nearby: the Oude Kerk, Dam Square and the canals.

Why it is famous

After the Alteration of 1578, Catholic worship was banned in Protestant Amsterdam — but the city practised a quiet tolerance: what happened behind closed doors was overlooked. In 1663 the merchant Jan Hartman converted the attics of his canal house and the two houses behind it into a complete church, seating around 150 worshippers.

For more than two centuries, "Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder" — Our Lord in the Attic — served Amsterdam's Catholics in secret. When the city's churches were long since Protestant, this hidden church kept the old faith alive. Opened as a museum in 1888, it is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands and the best-preserved clandestine church in the country.

What to see and do

• The attic church — the astonishing finale: a two-storey pink-painted church with altar, organ and galleries, entirely hidden under the eaves.
• The merchant's house — the restored 17th-century lower floors: parlour, kitchen, bedstee (box bed) and the family chapel.
• The narrow staircases — steep, winding stairs connecting the houses, an experience in themselves.
• The treasury — liturgical silver, vestments and religious objects from centuries of hidden worship.
• The free audio guide — included with entry and genuinely good; it brings the house's story to life room by room.

Tickets

Entry is by timed ticket, and capacity is limited by the narrow historic rooms — booking online ahead is strongly recommended, especially at weekends. The audio guide is included in the ticket price.

Getting there

The museum is on Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38–40, about a 7-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal station and 5 minutes from Dam Square. The nearest metro stop is Nieuwmarkt.

Practical tips

• Book a morning time slot — the narrow rooms feel busiest after midday.
• Wear flat shoes: the staircases are steep and the floors uneven.
• Take the free audio guide; without it the house's story is easy to miss.
• Combine with the Oude Kerk two minutes away — together they tell the whole story of faith in the old city.
• See every stop on our Amsterdam attractions map.

Frequently asked questions

What is Our Lord in the Attic?

It is a full Catholic church built in 1663 in the attic of a canal house, when open Catholic worship was banned in Protestant Amsterdam. Today it is a museum, Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder.

How long do you need at Our Lord in the Attic?

Allow 60 to 90 minutes to walk through the merchant's house, the narrow staircases and the attic church itself, with the free audio guide.

Is Our Lord in the Attic suitable for children?

Yes — children usually love the secret-church story and the maze of stairs and rooms, though the steep staircases are not suitable for buggies.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Only partially. The historic house has many steep, narrow stairs and no lift to the attic church; the modern entrance building and some lower floors are accessible. Check the official site for details.

Do you need to book Our Lord in the Attic in advance?

Booking online is recommended, especially on weekends and in summer, as the narrow rooms limit capacity and time slots can sell out.

Sources

• Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder — official website
• I amsterdam — official city guide