Oostindisch Huis

Lonely Planet review

This is the former office of the mighty VOC, the Dutch East India Company (which was the very first multinational). You could easily walk past it, as there's no sign or plaque to identify it. This sweeping complex, built between 1551 and 1643, was attributed to Hendrick de Keyser, the busy city architect. On the Kloveniersburgwal side you can see that the gables defy convention by tilting backward, making them seem much larger.

Pass through the carved Tuscan entrance vault to reach the grand inner courtyard, and on the opposite side you'll spy a small VOC emblem above the door. The mighty VOC sailed into rough waters and was dissolved in 1798.