Amsterdam's year of hidden treasures

The year 2008 has been designated Amsterdam's year of hidden treasures by the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board.

It is based around four themes, history, performance, art as well as fashion and design.

According to the Amsterdam tourist website, the city has "many undiscovered places" including "unique museums, creative events, historical treasures and trendsetting architecture and design".

One recommended "hidden treasure" is the Ons Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic) - a secret attic church in the house of a seventeenth-century merchant's house which was used by Catholics during the reformation.

"Unconventional" festivals often take place in the area, for example the Watergas Culture Park is home to a number of events across the year including concerts, fashion week and a children's film festival.

Fashion week is held twice a month to showcase the best of Amsterdam's creative talent and the development around the river IJ has undergone a lot of development in recent years, making it one of the most modern examples of local architecture.

With the themed year, the city hopes to show how "Amsterdam distinguishes itself from other European destinations and emerges a tenacious, intense and innovative city".