25. Amsterdam Dungeon ( Netherland )

The Amsterdam Dungeon, in the city of Amsterdam, follows a similar format to the London Dungeon, York Dungeon, Edinburgh Dungeon and Hamburg Dungeon which are owned and operated by the UK-based Merlin Entertainments corporation and attempts to show history through an interactive adventure. Live actors, a ride, shows and special effects simulate historical dark and bleak times.

Amsterdam Dungeon Chambers include:

Torture Chamber: In the depths of the Dungeon genuine torture instruments from the past are shown in exhibits. Visitors are lined against the wall where the resident ‘torturer’ picks out one of the crowd for him to demonstrate ‘techniques’.

VOC: Visitors are entertained in an 18th century dockside bar and told about the press ganging of locals to join the nautical trading firm the Dutch East India Company (VOC). They are then ambushed and forced on board a replica ship where they are forced to work for the captain Piet Heyn and fight the Spanish.

Ship’s Doctor: Visitors are then taken to the ship’s doctor’s surgery where the surgeon gives them experience of the brutalities of 18th century field surgery at sea.

Council of Blood: Visitors are shown a short information film about the terror brought the Netherlands by the Spanish Inquisition in the 16th century. They are then brought in to an Inquisition court where there is a show very similar to the Judgement of Sinnersshow in the UK, but the ‘Inquisitor’ is more menacing with his humour.

Ghosts: Witches Will Hunt You! This is a new feature installed in February 2007. It uses atmospheric special effects to animate the ghost story of a woman convicted as a witch in the 16th century and brutally tortured before being burned at Dam Square.

Labyrinth of Lost Amsterdam: A disorientating and eerie mirror maze themed around the winding, disorientating streets of Amsterdam.

The Great Plague: A recreation of the streets of plague ravaged Amsterdam street, where the devastating effect the killer disease had in the city in 1664 is vividly animated.

Reaper: Drop Ride to Doom! The Dungeon’s leading attraction, the Reaper ride is aMACK Rides e-Motion roller coaster that winds around a real 13th century church. Themed upon the Grim Reaper legend, it provides a finale to the Dungeon experience.