Our Lord in the Attic Museum

Narrow corridors and steep stairs lead to historically furnished rooms, kitchens and box beds. Eventually you arrive at the highlight of the museum: a complete church in the attic.

‍

Hidden church in the attic

The wealthy Catholic merchant Jan Hartman had the church in the attic built and consecrated in1663. At that time, the public practice of Catholicism was banned by Amsterdam’s Protestant city government. Protestants had confiscated Catholic churches and convents and used them for their own Protestant services. This forced Catholics to find creative ways of celebrating mass in hidden churches at home. The city government turned a blind to these practices, since the Dutch Republic was founded on the principle of freedom of religion. Behind one’s own front door, people were free to worship as they wished. The result was a remarkably tolerant environment, where various religious communities could peacefully exist side by side.

‍

{{gallery}}

Freedom of conscience, religion and identity

The unique home church of Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder gives reason to reflect on freedom and tolerance. How free were the Catholics in the 17th century, when they were prohibited from publicly expressing their faith? It remains a relevant issue. In the programme Voices of Tolerance, we invite students to engage in a dialogue about their own experiences with freedom, tolerance and diversity. How free do young people feel today in our culturally diverse and multi-religious society? Can and do they dare to be themselves?

Ontdek meerThe educational offer