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In 1881 some prominent citizens of Amsterdam held a meeting to discuss art and culture in the capital. They decided that the time was ripe to build a new Concertgebouw (Concert Hall). A new location was chosen just outside the city, near the Rijksmuseum, which was built around the same time. Seven years later the Concertgebouw finally opened it's doors. The Concertgebouw is world renowned for its great acoustics. The Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (Royal Concert Hall Orchestra) and the Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest (Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra) regularly perform here. The Concertgebouw offers a wide variety of music ranging from classical to jazz and world music. Picture Leander Lammertink Picture Fred George Picture Leander Lammertink
Housing over 1 million objects, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is the largest museum for art and history in the Netherlands. The museum's most famous collection is that of its Dutch 17th century paintings, with 20 works by Rembrandt and many other masterpieces including Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The collection's must-see painting is of course 'The Nightwatch' by Rembrandt. The building was designed by P.J.H Cuypers, who combined gothic and renaissance elements, as well as ornaments containing numerous references to Dutch history. Between 2003 and 2013, a radical renovation took place in the museum's main building. The architectural studio Cruz y Ortiz ensured that Pierre Cuypers' clear vision would be honoured in their design. An atrium was created by breaking open the former inner courtyard; and the Pavilion, another new part of the museum, now displays Asian art. During the renovation, 17th century masterpieces from the collection were displayed in the Philips wing. From 2013, this wing will undergo a full renovation and will eventually be used for temporary exhibitions and a café-restaurant.