The distinctive red-shuttered Greenland Warehouses were built in 1620. Whale oil was a sought-after ingredient for soap, lamp oil and paint, and wells here could hold 100,000L of the stuff. The building has been converted into chic apartments, but the original warehouse facade is well maintained (despite the difficulties in painting it due to the saturation of whale oil that still remains).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Van Brienenhofje

0.05 MILES

This charming hofje (courtyard) was named in the late 18th century for Jan van Brienen, who bought the Star Brewery located here, one of 13 breweries in…

2. Noorderkerk

0.12 MILES

Near the Prinsengracht's northern end, this imposing Calvinist church was completed in 1623 for the 'common' people in the Jordaan. (The upper classes…

3. De Rode Hoed

0.12 MILES

Occupying three glorious 17th-century canal houses – which once sheltered the Vrijburg, the largest clandestine church in the Netherlands – this cultural…

4. Multatuli Museum

0.13 MILES

Better known by the pen name Multatuli (Latin for 'I have suffered greatly'), writer Eduard Douwes Dekker is most recognised for Max Havelaar (1860), his…

5. Huis Met de Hoofden

0.16 MILES

A whimsical example of Dutch Renaissance style, this 1622 canal house designed by Hendrick de Keyser and his son Pieter has a beautiful step gable with…

6. West-Indisch Huis

0.16 MILES

Built in 1617 as a meat market and militia barracks, this historical building was rented by the Dutch West India Company (Geoctroyeerde West-Indische…

7. Poezenboot

0.19 MILES

Cat-lovers may want to check out this quirky boat on the Singel. It was founded in 1966 by a local woman who became legendary for looking after several…

8. Pianola Museum

0.21 MILES

This is a very special place, crammed with pianolas from the early 1900s. The museum has around 50, although only a dozen are on display at any given time…