Trippenhuis was a canal mansion in the centre of Amsterdam. It was built in in 1660–1662 for the weapons traders Louis and Hendrick Trip. Since. Since 1887 it has been the seat of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wettenschappen). All in the houses is beautiful, the architecture, the interior, etc. It looks like a palace. The Night Watch painting of Rembrandt was used to hang on the wall of this building before it's moved to the Rijksmuseum. It's not visitable for (common) public unless you are a scientist or you got an invitation for an activity in the house. When you have a chance to visit it, usually during the "Open Monumenten Dagen" (open monument day), don't miss it.

Trippenhuis, located at Klovenienrsburgwal street #29, was once the mansion of two wealthy Trip brothers who made their money in the arms trade in the 1600's. Its claim to fame is probably its width which is 72 feet/22m. It is a double rowhouse, but with a striking different facade compared to the other rowhouses along the canals like Herengracht, known for its homes of the wealthy. Trippenhuis stands out on the Klovenienrsburgwal canal. The 3ish storey facade is grey stone with at least 8 fluted grey pilasters spaced between its tall windows in a neoclassical style. Unexpected, are the reliefs of canon barrels inserted among the rococo ribbons of florals and wreaths. It is a rowhouse, but unlike its neighbors, its roofline is not like the traditional ones seen in Amsterdam. Go across the canal to view its chimneys which resemble mortar shells. While the architectural bones of this building are still outstanding, the facade, now blackened, needs a cleaning in order to restore it to its original grandeur. This mansion is no longer privately owned, but belongs to the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences. I believe there was some reno work going on when I was at the front door, but members of the public can go inside to get a glimpse of the interior. For me it was only a photostop. Look across the canal at # 26 to see one of Amsterdam's three narrowest houses, the white "Little Trippenhuis", an 8 foot wide coachman's house supposedly built by the Trip brothers for their servant. Kloveniersburgwal street is a street that probably locals use as the shops at ground level cater to their needs. During the day, I walked alone all along Kloveniersburgwal street and felt comfortable even though I was in a poorer section of town.