Pinto House, Amsterdam

One of the few survivors of all the development along St Antoniebreestraat is the Pintohuis, which is now a public library. Easily spotted by its creamy Italianate facade, the mansion is named after Isaac de Pinto, a Sephardic Jew who fled Portugal to escape the Inquisition and subsequently became a founder of the Dutch East India Company.

Pinto bought the property in 1651 and promptly had it remodeled in grand style, the facade interrupted by six lofty pilasters, which lead the eye up to the blind balustrade. The mansion was the talk of the town, even more so when Pinto had the interior painted in a similar style to the front – pop inside to admire the beautiful ceiling frescoes, featuring lots of gold and soaring birds. More recent additions are found by the entrance: spot the little cherub reading a book, a reference to the building’s current manifestation as a "bibliotheek".

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10:30am-5:30pm; Sat: 1-5pm
Free admission