David & Goliath

Situated in the historical heart of Amsterdam, you can find us at Kalverstraat no. 92. In summer you can enjoy our lovely outside seating area in the courtyard and in winter you can have your meal in the company of the statues of David & Goliath. On the former site of the cowhouse of St. Lucy's convent you can now find the David & Goliath restaurant. The convent was founded in 1414 and was situated between the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the Begijnensloot. Back then it was one of as many as 21 convents in Amsterdam.On 26th of May 1578, the so-called Alteration took place. Amsterdam changed from a Catholic city into a Protestant one. In the following years many convents were closed down and the former Catholic buildings were allocated to the town council. In 1580 the building of the St. Lucy convent was handed over to the administrators of the civil orphanage. The civil orphanage was founded in 1520 and first located in a building closeby on Kalverstraat. The orphans of Amsterdam 'poorters' were raised here and given an education, so as to spare them from poverty after they left the orphanage at around age 20. Girls were taught sowing and knitting at the orphanage itself and the boys learned a trade outside the orphanage Many of the boys got jobs on 'United East-Indies Company's ships (VOC). The orphanage received a part of their wages. One of the orphans was Jan Carel Josephus van Speijk (born 1802). He enjoyed a succesful naval career, though he was originally trained as a tailor.

In 1831 Belgian rebels attempted to take over Commander van Speijks ship. Unwilling to comply with their order to lower the Dutch flag and give up his ship, he decided to blow the whole thing up. His famous last words were 'Dan liever de lucht in' , which losely translates into something along the lines of 'I'd rather fly high into the sky'. The Dutch people were deeply impressed by this heroic piece of resistance and it is stated by law that there always will be a Dutch naval ship named after him. He lies buried in the Nieuwe Kerk.

In the courtyard next to the restaurant, you can still see the lockers where the boys used to store their tools and personal belongings.
Pauline Sophia Roos died on the 4th of February 1958, aged 76. She was the last orphan of the civil orphanage. The buildings became the site for the Amsterdam Historical Museum in 1975, after having been a home to many orphans for nearly 400 years. The wooden figures of David, Goliath and his bearer were made in the 17th century by Albert Jansz. Vinckenbrink. They were designed to be put on display in the pleasuregardens 'het Oude Doolhof' (the Old Maze') until 1862. David is only 1.60 m high and Goliath towers over him with his 5.30 m.
In 1969 they were relocated from the 'Waag' at the Nieuwmarkt to the restaurant at the Amsterdam Historical Museum. Today many tourists and locals still admire their statues.The restaurant David and Goliath is available after closing time for receptions and other events. We welcome up to 200 people for a reception indoors, and of course a lot more with the use of the courtyard (weather permitting). The Amsterdam Historical Museum closes at five, which means you and your guests can enjoy the restaurant and outside seating area in private.