Convent

Convent

Introduction The Dutch referred to Catholic nuns in Amsterdam as “Hartje stad.” The Convent is nothing short of a magical masterpiece; these houses were restored between 1982 and 1987. Despite the patron saint — Saint Ursula — the charitable institution did not survive the great city fire of 1346. The current buildings were reconstructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, and today, 105 women from Amsterdam live in the 41 triangular-wall houses.

A priest is responsible for caring for these solitary women and manages the church notice board inside the Houten Huys — an old black building (1470). The last secular nun died in 1971. Near the English choir, there is a small bronze memorial erected in honor of this nun and her predecessors. In the 17th century, house number 31 was used as a church together with house number 32. There is also an alley within the Convent that leads to the Historical Museum.

Since 1996, tourist groups have been prohibited from entering. Visitors who wish to come here should remember not to do anything that might disturb the residents.

Amsterdam, Netherlands