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Oude Kerk
The city's oldest surviving building (1306) embodies a huge moral contradiction: it's in full view of the Red Light District, with passers-by getting chatted up a throw from the church walls. But that's not all: this Gothic-style church has one of the finest carillons in the country, the city's oldest church bell (1450) and a stunning Müller organ. Check out the lively 15th-century carvings on the choir stalls, some of which are downright rude.
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Oudemanhuispoort
On the corner of Oudezijds Achterburgwal stands a distinctive gateway with spectacles over the pedestal. This indicated its role as an almshouse for the elderly, built here in 1601 from the proceeds of a public lottery. It's now the seat of the University of Amsterdam and closed to the public, although you can wander the courtyard. Note the bust of the learned Roman goddess Minerva over the courtyard entrance.
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Paleis Van Justitie
This authoritative (Amsterdam's Court of Appeal) pile began life in 1666 as an orphanage, designed for 800 occupants, but by the early 19th century more than half the city's 4300 orphans were crammed in here. A royal decree finally relocated them to other towns, amid cries that children were being stolen. The building's current scowl, in sober neoclassical, is from an 1829 renovation after the orphanage was closed.
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Portuguese-Israelite Synagogue
Built between 1671 and 1675 by Amsterdam's Sephardic community, this edifice was the largest synagogue in Europe at the time. The architect, Elias Bouman, was inspired by the Temple of Solomon, but the building's classical lines are typical of the Dutch capital. It was restored after the war and is in use today.
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Ronde Lutherse Kerk
This domed church built from 1668 to 1671 has the curious distinction of being the only round Protestant church in the country. Falling attendances forced its closure in 1936, and it now serves as a conference centre for the nearby Renaissance Hotel. Ironically, the old church on the Spui that it was designed to replace is still in use.
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Sarphatipark
This diverse little park was named after Samuel Sarphati (1813-66), a Jewish doctor, businessman and urban innovator. The grounds are a thoughtful mix of ponds, gently rolling meadow and wooded fringe. In the centre you'll see the Sarphati memorial (1886), a bombastic temple with fountain, gargoyles and a bust of the great man himself. Water is pumped to the fountain via an underground pipe from a canal hundreds of metres away.
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Scheepvaarthuis
The imposing Scheepvaarthuis (Shipping House) was built in 1916 for a consortium of shipping companies. Utilising the street layout to resemble a ship's bow, this remarkable building was the first true example of Amsterdam School style. The prow-like front is crowned by a statue of Neptune, his wife and four female figures that represent the points of the compass.
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Schreierstoren
This prominent brick tower dating from around 1480 - the oldest of its kind still standing - was once part of the city's defences. Its name comes from an old Dutch word for 'sharp', for this sharp corner that jutted out into the IJ. Tourist literature prefers to call it the 'wailing tower' (from schreien, to weep or wail) and claims that sailors' wives stood here and cried their lungs out when ships set off for distant lands.
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Stopera
This hulking white pile between Waterlooplein and the Amstel houses both the stadhuis (city hall) and the opera, hence the name 'Stopera' (1986). The building's design was highly controversial, and protest delayed construction for two decades. When it was finally completed, one critic deriding the Stopera as having 'all the charm of an Ikea chair'. Our view: yea on the music theatre, nay on city hall.
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Trippenhuis
Making their fortune in arms dealing, the Trip brothers commissioned a young Dutch architect, Justus Vingboons, to build the Trippenhuis in 1660. It's a greystone mansion with eight Corinthian columns across two houses - one for each brother - and in a nod to their profession, the chimneys are shaped like mortars. It's closed to the public.
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Van Brienenhofje
This charming courtyard was named in the late 18th century for Jan van Brienen, who bought the Star Brewery located here, one of 13 breweries in town at the time. (The place is still called De Star hofje by many.) It was turned into an almshouse for older residents, and although not dirt poor they had a clear division of labour: the women cleaned house for the single men, who in turn toted water buckets from the outside pump (topped by a curious lantern). There's a manicured garden.
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Vondelkerk
Architect Pierre Cuypers' favourite church (1870-80), it suffered from a lack of funds during construction and a fire in 1904, and was marked for demolition in 1978. It's a charming steepled church, featuring a fascinating series of shapes with an octagon at its base. People in the offices inside are happy to let you in for a peek.
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Waag
The very grand, multi-turreted Waag (Weigh House) dates from 1488, when it was part of the city fortifications. It looked more like a castle in those days, fronted by a moatlike canal and built into the old city walls. From the 17th century onward it was the main weigh house.
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Westerkerk
The main gathering place for Amsterdam's Dutch Reformed community, the church was built for rich Protestants to a 1620 design by Hendrick de Keyser. The nave is the largest in the Netherlands and covered by a wooden barrel vault.
