Visiting Our Lord in the Attic: What to Expect, Tickets & Tips

Right in the middle of Amsterdam’s Red Light District—just a few minutes from Central Station—is one of the city’s most surprising historical gems: Our Lord in the Attic.

And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a church hidden in an attic!

Like most people, I walked past 38 Oudezijds Voorburgwal countless times without realizing what was inside. But once I learned about this beautifully preserved 17th-century Catholic church hidden in plain sight, I had to see it for myself.

If you love unusual finds or simply planning an Amsterdam itinerary that includes more than just the big-ticket sights, this secret church is absolutely worth a detour. Here’s what to expect and how to plan your visit.

What Is Our Lord in the Attic?

A church hidden in an attic? If you’re wondering why—you’re definitely not alone.

Back in the 1600s, Catholicism was technically banned in the Dutch Republic. Public worship wasn’t allowed, but private churches were quietly tolerated in Amsterdam—as long as they weren’t visible.

That led to hidden churches popping up all over the city, including this one, built by wealthy Catholic merchant Jan Hartman.

From the outside, the building looks like any other canal house. But in 1661, Hartman bought the house on Oudezijds Voorburgwal, along with two adjacent houses in the alley behind, for the hefty sum of 16,000 guilders. 

He completely remodeled the top floors—not just of one house, but all three—connecting their attics to create a single, large space for a fully functioning home church. It could hold up to 150 people and was used for nearly two centuries until it was repurposed into a museum in 1888. 

What You’ll See Inside

One thing that really surprised me about visiting Our Lord in the Attic is that it’s not just about the hidden church—though that alone is a pretty great reason to visit.

The entire canal house is part of the museum. You get to explore it room by room—kitchens, bedrooms, little living spaces, and narrow staircases. Each one tells its own part of the story. And then, at the very top, you reach the crown jewel: the attic, where the hidden church is still perfectly intact.

There’s a free audio guide available in several languages, and I definitely recommend using it! It adds so much context to what you’re seeing. 

Here’s a quick peek inside and what stood out to me in each room:

Front Room 

The first room you walk into is the front room—this is where Jan Hartman would’ve welcomed his guests.

It sports ornate teal wallpaper, a grand gilded mirror above a carved marble fireplace, wooden floors, a crystal chandelier, and high ceilings.

It definitely has that classic canal mansion feel, and from the moment you step inside, it’s easy to imagine what life might’ve been like during the Dutch Golden Age. And of course, the bonus: a lovely view of the canal.

The Kitchen

While there are actually two kitchens here, the first one you’ll pass through is, in my opinion, the quaintest.

What makes this vintage kitchen so special is that it’s still tiled with original Delft blue ceramics. Most of the tiles show children playing, but if you look closely—especially near the black cast iron stove—you’ll also spot classic Dutch windmill scenes!

There’s also some cool antique cookware on display, and it’s so easy to picture Elisabeth (Hartman’s wife) standing there at the stove, preparing supper.

Bedrooms & Living Quarters

Two rooms on the second floor really stood out to me.

The first was the drawing room—a lovely sunlit space with a box bed and a few period paintings. One of the museum’s original 17th-century oak staircases leads up to it (there are actually two, but only one is open to the public). What I loved most is that the steps aren’t all shaped the same. Some curve inward, some outward—like little moon shapes.

The second room is where Hartman entertained guests and handled business.

You’ll notice the Dutch Classicist style right away—it’s all about symmetry. You can see it in the layout, the furniture placement, even the fireplace, which mirrors the shape of the wooden cabinet across from it. The black-and-white marble floor is another example. And if you look up, you’ll spot the same balanced pattern echoed on the ceiling above.

One detail I found especially intriguing was the room’s two doors—turns out Hartman added a fake one purely for the sake of symmetry!

The Attic Church

The crème de la crème of any visit here is the famous pink-and-gold sanctuary that spans three floors and connects all three houses. I’m still a bit baffled that something this grand was hidden here for so many years.

There are loads of little details to take in. The church has all the usual things you’d expect in a Catholic church—pews, an elaborate altar, a prayer book, and pillars painted to look like marble. But one thing you won’t spot right away is the pulpit. That’s because it’s folded up inside one of the columns. There’s a short video showing how it folds out—and I genuinely thought it was so clever.

Over near the organ (which was made by Hendrik Meyer in 1794), you’ll see a rope hanging down. My first instinct? It must be for ringing church bells. But of course, this church was hidden—and technically illegal at the time—so ringing bells would’ve made zero sense.

So what’s the deal with the rope? Well, it was actually used to pull Hartman’s linen stock up from the street into the attic, where it was stored. You can still see the pulley system today, and there’s a fun little video showing exactly how it worked on the top floor.

The Vestry & Confessional

Just behind the altar, you’ll pass through the vestry, where the priest would prepare for mass. It’s a small but atmospheric space, filled with religious artifacts and some of the traditional clothing the priest would’ve worn. I especially loved the tiny window overlooking the rooftops and the delicate dove statue attached to the ceiling.

There’s also a confessional booth nearby, and I saw a few visitors getting creative with their photos in there.

The Priest’s Room

Another room I found fascinating is where Petrus Parmentier, the church’s first priest, lived.
It’s a modest little space with a box bed and a few personal items still on display. He moved in when the church opened and paid 250 guilders a year in rent.

There’s also a self-portrait of him in a nearby room. If you tilt your head sideways, you’ll notice he’s actually lying down. That’s because he was painted on his deathbed—something I never would’ve noticed if the audio guide hadn’t pointed it out.

Gift Shop & Café

Before you leave, make a quick stop at the gift shop. It has a lovely selection of classic Dutch souvenirs like Delftware, postcards, and even some cute Miffy dolls.

You’ll also find restrooms and lockers on the same floor, along with a small café. No one was behind the counter when I visited, but the menu looked decent—coffee, tea, toasties, and paninis. For something more substantial, there are some great cafés and restaurants in the area, including one of my favorite seafood spots in Amsterdam.

Opening Times & Entry Fees

• Opening hours: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm (except on some public holidays – check ahead)
• Admission: €18 (adults), €7.50 (children)
• Free with I Amsterdam City Card or Museumkaart

While it’s not as crowded as some of the city’s bigger museums, I’d still recommend booking a time slot online—especially during high season. That said, I walked in without a ticket and waited only a few minutes for the next introductory video.

How Much Time You’ll Need & Accessibility

Most people spend around 1 to 1.5 hours here. I probably stayed closer to two, but I like to take my time and look at literally everything when I visit somewhere new.

The location is super central, so combining it with nearby sights like De Oude Kerk, Nieuwe Kerk or the Royal Palace is quite easy. 

That said, the only real downside to this place is that it’s not very accessible. There are lots of steep, narrow stairs and quite a few tight spaces—similar to what you’ll find at the Anne Frank House. So unfortunately, it’s not wheelchair-friendly and probably not the best fit if you have mobility issues.

I did notice an elevator at the entrance, but it only takes you to the basement, where you can watch the introductory video—not the rest of the house or the attic church itself. Which, in my opinion, doesn’t quite justify the ticket price if you’re not able to access the full museum.

Is Our Lord in the Attic Worth Visiting?

I definitely think so—especially if you love non-touristy places but still want to experience something truly unique and beautifully preserved. I honestly loved my visit. It’s one of Amsterdam’s most fascinating hidden museums and, in my opinion, absolutely worth adding to your list.

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