Amsterdam - Royal Palace - The Royal Palace, which dates from 1648 and was designed by Jacob van Campen, was originally Amsterdam town hall and is regarded today as the most important cultural and historical building from 17th-century Amsterdam. The building exterior was originally made of white stone and famous painters including Rembrandt and Ferdinand Bol were brought in to contribute to the interior. Located in Dam Square in the heart of the city, the building was converted into a palace on King Louis Napoleon orders after he made Amsterdam his home in 1808.