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Originally conceived to celebrate Dutch colonialism but now redeployed to educate visitors about the developing world. Reconstructions – whether of an Arabian bazaar, an African village or an Indian slum – are vividly brought to life with the help of soundtracks and even smells. The separate Tropenmuseum Junior is strictly for 6–12-year- olds (no admission to an adult unless accompanied by a child), by appointment, with guided tours in Dutch.

This extraordinary 1921 theatre was the creation of its obsessive owner, Abraham Tuschinski, a Jewish emigré who died at Auschwitz. The sumptuous interior crosses Art Deco with the Orient (see Tuschinski Theater).

Amsterdam’s – perhaps the world’s – most elaborate cinema was the extraordinary creation of a driven, self-made Jewish tailor from Poland. Obsessed by film and the belief that it could change lives, he masterminded a vast team of craftsmen and conjured the cinema, in 1921, in a slum known as Devil’s Corner. He was later to perish in Auschwitz, but his wonderful creation – loosely Art Nouveau, but termed Tuschinski Style for its unique mixture of influences – lives on. In 2002 it reopened, after a multi-million dollar renovation. In the process, hitherto unknown paintings of Vogue-style ladies were uncovered, and the theatre has been returned to its former breathtaking glory. Buy a ticket for Screen One to admire the main theatre before the lights go down.

The uncompromisingly modern building by De Stijl architect Gerrit Rietveld was specially designed to display the nation’s collection of this disturbed yet brilliant artist’s work.

Following the development of the Dutch Resistance movement from the German invasion in May 1940 to the liberation in May 1945, this exhibition shows how the Dutch people courageously faced the occupation. Its fascinating and evocative displays relate private stories of individual heroism and place them in their historical context. Among the memorabilia are forged identity papers, old photographs, underground newspapers and deadly weapons.

The Resistance Museum’s brilliant displays give a vivid sense of life in an occupied country, as well as an insight into the ingenious activities of the Dutch Resistance. Exhibits include photographs, heartrending letters thrown from deportation trains, film clips and room sets (see Verzetsmuseum).

A troubled genius who left a vast body of work, despite his tragically short life (see The Life of Vincent van Gogh).

Founded in 1864 by a group of philanthropic citizens, this congenial park was later named after the 17th-century poet Joost van den Vondel. Landscaped on informal English lines in 1865 – and enlarged in 1877 – by father and son J D and L P Zocher, with wide green vistas, a profusion of trees and lakes, a rose garden and a bandstand, it became a mecca for hippies in the late 1960s and 1970s. It is still a lively place on summer Sundays, when people flock to hear concerts and plays in the open-air theatre, glimpse the occasional juggler or fire-eater, jog, rollerblade or play football. There are many different species of plants, trees and wildlife. A distinctive landmark, looking a little like a neat boater turned upside-down, is the round Blauwe Theehuis (teahouse), built by H A J Baanders in 1936 in the New Functionalist style.

This church – founded in 1409 – is all that is left of the convent of St Paul. Its name means Walloon Church, a reference to the Low Countries (now Belgium), from where Huguenots fled the Catholic terror. In 1586 they were given use of the Waalse Kerk so that they could continue their worship in French. It has a historic organ dating from 1680, renovated in 1734 by master organ builder Christian Müller. The church is a popular concert venue.

Before numbering was introduced, houses were identified by plaques (see Courtyard with Wall Plaques, and Wall Plaque on No.19).