Not everything in Amsterdam was built in the 17th Century! Smack in the center of the Nieuwmarkt Square is the 15th-Century Waag (a weighing house for merchandise), whose circular interior, with surprising nooks and crannies, is as delightful as its circular, turreted exterior would indicate. Since 1929, the building has housed the Amsterdam Historical Museum (mainly prints and drawings relating to the city’s history) on its ground and first floors, and the Jewish Historical Museum (ceremonial religious objects, of great splendor, owned by Amsterdam’s once-large Jewish population) on its second floor. Both museums are open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5, on Sundays from 1 to 5.
Don’t go out of your way to see this next spot, but if you happen to be near Kloveniersburgwal, 26 take a look at the narrowest house in Amsterdam. It was built by a wealthy 17th Century merchant named Tripp, whose coachman had been overheard to say: “I’d be happy if I had a house as wide as your front door.” So Mr. Tripp built him a house as wide as Mr. Tripp’s front door!
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