If you find yourself in or nearby Vondelpark, don’t miss the chance to see the Zevenlandenhuizen – a unique row of seven houses built in the architectural styles of seven different countries. The houses were built in the 1890s to a commission by a wealthy politician with a love of faraway places, and designed by architect Tjeerd Kuipers. The result is an architectural tour through 19th century Europe packed into a short section of Amsterdam street.
Spain, France, England, Russia, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands are all represented, and in case you can’t tell which is which, the names of the countries are helpfully displayed above their doors.
The houses are privately owned so you can’t go inside them unfortunately, but they’re definitely worth a quick detour if you’re already in that part of town.
Zevenlandenhuizen, Roemer Visscherstraat 20-30A
While you’re there: Take a little three minute walk from the Zevenlandenhuizen to see the gorgeous Vondelkerk (church) and Vondelstraat (street). The entire street was designed by Rijksmuseum architect Pierre Cuypers, so the buildings are all perfectly symbiotic. He even designed himself a villa in a prime position overlooking the church on one side and the Vondelpark on the other, called ‘Nieuw Leyerhoven’.
My pal in Amsterdam 