The Royal Palace was originally built as a town hall for Amsterdam’s administrative and judicial authorities.

In 1648 the burgomaster and magistrates of Amsterdam commissioned the famous architect Jacob van Campen to design their new building. Amsterdam at the time was the most powerful trading nation in the world and people were attracted by its power and prestige. Newcomers were flocking to the city and in the space of a century its population increased sixfold. As a result, the responsibilities of government were greater than ever before. The old Gothic Town Hall was no longer up to its task and the renowned Exchange Bank, which was housed there, was unable to cope with its growing …