A

NEW A NEW LIFE

IEFOR LIFE FOR OLD BUILDINGS 5 wandel/fiets- en vaarroutes langs historische,5 walking/biking gerestaureerde and navigation gebouwen routes

OLD inalong historic, restored buildings

Walk, bike or navigate along the buildings that in Amsterdam BUILDINGS are part of the collective memory of the city. The guide describes how these buildings have received a second or third life thanks to the efforts and fighting spirit of those who took the initiative and creative architects.

These routes lead through 5 different parts of the city: Annemarie Wijn Annemarie W ijn

• Historic City Centre • City Centre-South • City Centre-East • Along the River IJ • Oud-Zuid

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Table of Contents Preface and Acknowledgements:

Map with all Routes and Legend 2 – 3 The guidebook “New Life for Old Buildings” is written for inhabitants and visitors of the city Table of Contents 4 of Amsterdam who want to find out more about the origin and (re)use of historic buildings in Preface and Acknowledgements 5 relation to the historic development of the city. It is also a source of inspiration for anyone who wants to participate in the campaign, “New Life for Old Buildings”. This campaign wants to Historic City Centre Introduction 6 - 11 involve all the inhabitants of Amsterdam with the selection of buildings and areas that should Map and route 12 - 13 be favored for restoration and redevelopment. Route (buildings) 14 - 27 In compiling this guidebook we made good use of the data and illustrations that can be found on the website of the “Bureau Monumenten en Archeologie” of the city of Amsterdam, as well City Centre-South Introduction 28 - 29 as the many illustrations in the archives of architectural bureau van Stigt. Furthermore we Map and route 30 - 31 consulted the first two parts of the re-edition of “d’Ailly’s Historische Gids van Amsterdam”. Route (buildings) 32 - 43 We sincerely thank all persons who have helped us in collecting the data about construction dates, architectural styles, (restoration) architects and the reuse of the buildings. City Centre-East Introduction 44 - 45 The buildings, which the architects van Stigt have restored in the past 25 years, are included Map and route 46 - 47 in the routes. Buildings with comparable functions, which have been restored by other archi- Route (buildings) 48 - 59 tects, have also been included. The selection was done in a way to make sure that the buil- ding periods and styles represent the successive stages in the development of Amsterdam. Along the River IJ Introduction 60 - 61 In compiling the final text, I have worked closely and pleasantly with Eisse Kalk and Carmen Map and route 62 - 63 Flagiello; the final editing was done by Nancy Koleda. To them, I would like to express my Route (buildings) 64 - 77 thanks for their contributions. In choosing the original illustrations for the Dutch edition, on which this English version is based, I have had help from André, Joop and Gonny van Stigt, Oud Zuid Introduction 78 - 79 their colleagues of the architectural bureau and their extensive photo-archive. These photos Map and route 80 - 81 and the photos made by Eisse Kalk of Agora Europa are not mentioned separately. The regis- Route (buildings) 82 - 93 ters of this guidebook have been meticulously compiled by Carmen Flagiello. The lay-out of the guidebook and the maps have been composed by Toon van Lieshout from bureau CO3. Navigation Routes (1 map and 3 routes) 94 - 97 Gijs de Jong gave valuable advise in compiling the routes by boat.

Building Styles and Building Periods with Illustrations 98 - 103 The compilation and production of the Dutch version of this guidebook, on which this English version is based, have been made possible by the financial support of the VSB Fund, for which Register Original Architects 104 I am very grateful. Register Restoration Architects 104 Register of Buildings 105 Register of Street Names 106 Amsterdam, spring 2007. Explanatory Notes 107 Annemarie Wijn, co-founder and board member of Agora Europa.

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This guidebook describes 5 walking and/or biking routes and 3 boating routes 14th and 15th Century through the city of Amsterdam. The routes take us along historic buildings that Amsterdam becomes a city of commerce have been restored or reused during the development of Amsterdam. Each route The growth of the city of Amsterdam is closely connected with the growth of leads us through a different part of the city. To understand how these buildings commerce and trade. From the 14th century on, the wool manufacturing industry is did emerge and were reused, insight into the origin and development of the city- flourishing and grain, cheese, salt, fish, wine, beer, tar, glass, metal, stone and wool state of Amsterdam itself is needed. are traded and stored. These activities need increasingly more space for harbours, quays and warehouses.

Around 1350 the first expansion of the Historic City centre city takes place and the population grows to 5.000. Very soon in 1380 a 12th and 13th Century new extension is needed as far as the Amstelredamme, the start of a global village Oude Zijds Achterburgwal and Amsterdam is founded at the end of the 12th century as a trade and fishingplace where Nieuwe Zijds Achterburgwal, now the river Amstel flows into the IJ, at the time an estuarium of the Zuiderzee. Spuistraat (see map on page 6). The In 1275 Count Floris V of Holland gives the privilege of toll to the “hominess manentes border of the city is formed by an apud Aemstelredamme”, which means the people that live near the dam in the river earthen wall with a wooden palisade Amstel. That dam is built in the 13th century between two streets which are today known and a canal. From the wooden houses as Damrak and . This dam prevents the water of the earlier mentioned IJ to flow of the 14th and 15th century only into the polders via the river Amstel. Het Houten Huys remains on the Around 1400 the medieval town hall is built on the Dam Square. It is replaced in the 17th Begijnhof, built in 1425 century by the town hall designed by architect , now used as the Royal Palace. In 1300 Amsterdam has only a few hundred houses and is a relatively small town compared to towns like Utrecht, Leiden, Haarlem and Dordrecht, which have already 1.000 or 2.000 inhabitants.

Het Houten Huys

In 1421 big fires destroy one third of all houses and in 1452 three quarters. As a result, the city government forbids the buil- ding of wooden houses. From the 14th century only a few churches have survived, like the Oude Kerk and the Nieuwe Kerk.

A new large expansion of the city, now also to the south, takes place in 1425. The bor- ders on the eastside of the city are now the and the Kloveniersburgwal and on the westside the Singel.

Source: Geschiedenis van Amsterdam tot 1578, Vol. I

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At the end of the 15th century the wooden palisade is replaced by a stone wall with Trade and shipping expand further, which leads to a wild growth outside the city- fortifications like the Munttoren, the Waag and the Schreierstoren. walls. On the eastside of the IJ more harbour and shipbuilding activities develop. The Oude Waal becomes a legitimate inner harbour with an open connection to the IJ. A palisade is built to protect this place against the pounding of waves and ice drifts. A growing number of citizens live outside the city in the on the East side and beyond the Haarlemmerpoort on the Westside. This area is known as “freedom of city”, a 60 m broad area that has to remain undeveloped in order to act as a defense for the city. In 1512 a provisory fortification is built called the Oude Schans, and the Montelbaenstoren is a part of it.

Oude Schans with Montelbaenstoren

At the end of the 16th century the city government decides to expand again. As of Detail of city map of Cornelis The Waag 1578 the city magistrates support “stadhouder” Willem van Oranje and put aside the Anthoniszoon from 1544 conservative Catholic city government. At the East side of the city, beyond the Oude Schans, three islands are developed as shipbuilding yards (Uilenburg, Rapenburg and 16th Century Valkenburg). On the West side the city extends as far as the . The city grows beyond its boundaries The number of citizens is 12.000 in 1514 17th Century and grows to 27.000 by 1562. A new The Golden Century expansion, however, takes a long time. In 1581 a revolution takes place in the Netherlands. This is due to land and house owners in The Spanish King Filips II is renounced. The the city, who hold important positions in Republic of the Seven United Netherlands is foun- the city government. Due to the high ded, (representing the seven provinces) in which the costs they opposed the expansion. A side cities of Holland, especially Amsterdam, play an effect is that the shortage leads to higher important role. Protestants who initiate the revolu- prices for land and houses. The result is tion,”the Geuzen”, block the river Schelde. As a overpopulation of the city. The map of consequence, the growth of the harbour of Cornelis Anthonisz. clearly shows the Antwerp, the most feared competitor of Amsterdam crowded city and its overflow. as port of commerce, stagnates.

City map of Cornelis Anthoniszoon from 1544 West Indisch Huis

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In the city state of Amsterdam a small group of families, who gain a tremendous In 1662 the expansion on the East wealth in international trade, take over the city government. Until 1600 trade is main- side is the fourth, and for the time ly focused on Europe. This trade remains important, but at the beginning of the 17th being, last extension. The whole century the focus of Amsterdam is also on world trade. In 1602 the Verenigde Oost- area as far as the is Indische Compagnie (VOC, the United East-Indian Company) is founded. Following available for development. The this the West-Indische Compagnie is founded in 1621. Singelgracht is lengthened until it reaches the IJ, and the characteristic The city expansion of 1613 and the large, fourth expansion of 1662 half moon shape of Amsterdam is The strong growth of trade (30 % of the working population) and industry (more than formed. In addition the Eastern 60 % of the working population) naturally leads to large claims for space and Islands are developed for shipbuil- an expansion of the city. This takes place in two stages. In 1613, the city council ding. In the last quarter of the 17th decides to expand the city to the west with a stylish living quarter, with buildings for century growth stagnates, because the wealthy merchants of the city (the present day canal zone). The second part of France and England are increasingly the Historic City Centre route leads through this part of the city. The Western Islands protective of their own trade and are developed for the trade and for companies that until this time are polluting the industry. The result is that no building inner city. To the west a residential and commercial area is developed for the many Source: Geschiedenis van Amsterdam activities take place on large areas thousands of workers (the present day and Haarlemmerbuurt). east of the river Amstel. The city government decides to rent out this space in rectangular blocks as gardens for individuals. This way the Groene (Green Plantation) develops, where at a later time the Hortus Botanicus and the Artis Zoo are created. We visit this area at the beginning of the route City Centre-East.

18th Century The money is invested, but trade declines. In the 18th century the number of inhabitants barely increases. In 1675 there are 220.000 and in 1795 only a thousand more. The capital is invested and borrowed and Amsterdam becomes an important financial centre in Europe, however, grain trade on the Baltic Sea and international trade decline. At the end of the 18th century the VOC closes down.The buildings from this period are based on the French Styles named after the Kings Louis XV and XVI. For example, the building Felix Meritis (1787) that is built in the style of Louis XVI. Map of Johan Blaeu (1640)

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cht Openhaven

2 Oude Kerk At the backside of the Palace we turn left into gracht Front Prinsengra

acht From the Oude Kerk we walk, or bike, to the the Raadhuisstraat. We cross the Singel and Keizers south, along the . At reach the Herengracht. Here we cross the str Singel IJ haven Herengr t ukade a a al the Damstraat we take a left into the Oude bridge and go to the right. Four houses from tr w is u rg p u Nassa S rb Doelenstraat that changes to the Oude the corner, we see the Bartolotti Huis. o o t 1 V Damrakaa s Hoogstraat. On the rightDijksgra side, close to the Hendrik ijd 2 z cht 7 aat e e Bartolotti Huis alenstr Hu w moesstr crossing with the Kloveniersburgwal, we see an G go u Damrak Jan v d e e G i War r N oo the former building of the earlier mentioned We go back on the Herengracht and take t 8 2 P 7 ri al n Oosterdok Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie. (VOC) a right on the Raadhuisstraat. Over the 4 s ik Ra H a en t dh d aat bridge on the we see the uis burgw ri straat kk str Freder Dam a Rozengrach al d 3 Oost-Indisch Huis Voor e ger in front of us.

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a Damstr ezijds ten gra We take a turn and go via the Oude s rbu t s Kat a aa Oud oo u t Hoogstraat, Oude Doelenstraat and k straa a

Keizers d d ds V 8 Westerkerk e Ru e ver Damstraat to the Dam Square. On the North ijte traat r Kal we rqs 3 g de Cle uwezij side, next to the Royal Palace we see the We walk or bike back to the Keizersgracht n i Nie k o gwal B 5 9 R aat Nieuwe Kerk. where we cross the Raadhuisstraat and go i l d e genstr r ersbur d 6 Nieuwevaa to the right. Further on to the right we see i j k kenbur s 4 Nieuwe Kerk t Val r building # 324, Felix Meritis. a Kloveni rt a t From the Dam Square, we walk (biking on the in ple next part of the route is prohibited) along oo 9 Felix Meritis Singel Amstel erl the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) into the Herengr Wat Kalverstraat.Pla After passing the St.Lucassteeg acht ntag ger dijk Keizersg on the righte M we find directly on the right the Zeebur Con idd AMS enl sta entrance to theaa Amsterdams Historisch racht at n e nti Prinsengr ad Route Historic City Centre TEL Museum. sk Public transport: jn rit Hu zelstra Wees au Vij M When we continue our walk along the yge S acht ta 5 d perstraat Amsterdams Historisch Museum nss Thish route takes us through the Historic City Zeedijk street. Keizersgracht we find stops for tram 1 & 2. o u tra d Centree of Amsterdam and along beautiful Part of the building complex is the café-res- on the crossing with the Leidsestraat. This at r L s at i ka 1 n d Sint Olofskapel n canal houses dating from the 17th and 18th taurant David and Goliath. We walk througha takes us to the Central Station. e Sarphatistra e acht u lgr s century. We start our walking, or biking, tour As we leave the Barbizon Hotel and go to the the gallery withe the famous paintings of the s ing t ht r S a a at the Sint Olofs Kapel, the oldest chapel of left, we enter the street Zeedijk, a former civic guards of Amsterdam to the Begijnhof t

Amsterdam, built in the 15th century. Wezelgrac seadike in the 14th and 15th century. The (open: 8-13 hrs) om Vij tr kade hatis rits Overto leave the Central Station on the front side. first street on the right isS atherp St. Olofspoort au terin M Van Across the water to the left we see the Sint We thatgscha nchangess into the Warmoesstraat. We 6 Begijnhof and Kapel Ba

erl Nicolaaskerk and the neighbouring Barbizon follow this street and take the fifth street to We now leave the oldest part of the city and est Singelgra cht Wibaut raa Palace Hotel. Through this hotel we reach the the left, the Wijde Kerksteeg. Before us we go along the Spui to the Nieuwezijds Stadh t former Sint Olofskapel which is now used as a see the Oudeouders kKerkade situated at the Voorburgwal. Here we turn to the right and straat conference centre via a tunnel under the Oudekerksplein. go back in the direction of the Royal Palace.

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After fruitless attempts to restore the building, the Foundation 1 Sint Olofskapel for Restoration of Monuments in Amsterdam starts the restora- tion in cooperation with The Barbizon Hotel, which exploits the The Sint Olofskapel is built for Norwegian sailors and is Head of Zeedijk chapel by using it as a conference centre. In May 1990 the named after a Norwegian King Olof or Olav, who is canonized Architect immense restoration starts under supervision of Joop van Stigt, because of his dissemination of Christianity. During the past Unknown who has already executed the restoration of the Westerkerk centuries, the chapel had different functions. After the Building period and the Oude Kerk. The municipality, as well as the people of Alteration in 1578, the merchants use the chapel as a money around 1440 the community centre, support the plan for reuse, because the exchange. Later, the former Catholic chapel is changed into a Style burnt chapel causes problems for the economic revival of the Calvinist church and renamed Oudezijds Kapel. During and Gothic inspired Zeedijk, which is important for entrepreneurs, as well as the citi- after the Great War the Salvation Army holds its meetings but entrance is 17th zens and the city. Restoration is a challenge as this is the oldest there, and from 1935 to 1961 a weekly cheese market takes century Renaissance part of the city and the streets are narrow. More than 6.000 ske- place. Restoration/reuse letons are dug up and transported to the Northern Cemetery. 1992 The gravestones are temporarily removed and renovated. A huge cellar is excavated deep into the ground to create extra space and install floor heating. The roof is removed and the beams are either repaired or renewed. All the woodwork is newly carved or, if in decent condition, restored.

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Oudekerksplein church and pedlars display their goods. Hundreds of grave- Architect stones, amongst them that of Saskia, the wife of Rembrandt, Unknown bare witness to its function as graveyard. Building period In 1951 the church is closed because of the danger of collapse. from 1306 Between 1955 and 1979 a thorough restoration takes place. Style Paintings on the ceilings, dating from before the Alteration, Dutch bricks Gothic are discovered beneath many layers of paint. The coloured Restoration/reuse beetle that threatens to damage the paintings is successfully 1979 and 1998 controlled. From 1975 the Foundation The Oude Kerk takes over the exploitation. A new restoration is started in 1998 by architect Joop van Stigt. He designs proper floor heating and extra glass windows, which do not affect the historic interior of the church, but are a blessing for the organ and the visitors of the church. Van Stigt’s designs help to provide a better exploitation for social and cultural events, like the World Press Photo-exhibition.

2 Oude Kerk

The construction of the oldest church of Amsterdam starts in 1306. In the 14th and 15th century the church is expanded with several chapels. The tower of the Oude Kerk dates from 1565, a year before the iconoclasm. In 1566 the church is plundered and destroyed, the statues are demolished and the church is made fit for the protestant worship. The small houses belonging to the church are built in the 17th and 18th century. Originally, the church was devoted to Saint Nicolaas, patron of the sailors. Later, the church is used for very different functions, which leads to its nickname, the Livingroom of Amsterdam. Fishermen mend their nets here and repair their sails. From 1584 to 1611 it is a building used for money exchange. During the Golden Age, it looses its function as the main church to the Nieuwe Kerk. In the following centuries, vagabonds and beggars sleep in the

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3 Oost-Indisch Huis 4 Nieuwe Kerk

The Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie, founded in 1602, is Dam The construction of this church starts in 1380. In the 15th cen- the first limited liability Company with shareholders. From Architect tury the church expands and becomes the main church of 1603 onwards the Board, The Heren XVII, rents part of the unknown Amsterdam, instead of the Oude Kerk. In 1645 an enormous Bushuis (an Arsenal) located on the crossing of the Building period fire ruins the church, which is rebuilt in Gothic style. Different Kloveniersburgwal and the Oude Hoogstraat. Later on, they from 1380 plans have been made to build a tower beside the church, but commission next door a new Renaissance-style building Style after the iconoclasm in 1566 and Alteration (from Catholic to designed by the city architect Hendrick de Keyser. A gate with French Gothic and Calvinist), the magistrates of the city do not want a tower that Toscan columns and a corridor with brick vaults, lead to the Early Renaissance could surpass the city hall on the Dam Square (now Royal inner court. Extensions follow in 1633 with a prolonged wes- Restoration/reuse Palace). Consequently the tower is never constructed. Since tern façade up to the Oude Hoogstraat and a northern wing 1914 and 1980 King Willem I takes the oath on the constitution in 1814, all by Pieter de Keyser (1595-1676), son of Hendrick de Keyser. Dutch monarchs are crowned in the Nieuwe Kerk. From 1892- After the demolition of the Bushuis in 1891 a new eastern 1914 and again from 1959-1980 the church is completely wing, in historic style and situated at the inner court is restored by architect D. Verheus. Currently, it is used mostly designed by C.H. Peters, as well as a reconstruction of the for exhibitions and events. façade of the main building. Until the discontinuance in 1798 the VOC had her office here. After 1798 it is the seat of the colonial government, and presently it is part of the University of Amsterdam. In 1976 a new restoration takes place by the architects J. Schipper and B. van Kasteel.

Oude Hoogstraat 24 Architect Hendrick de Keyser Year of construction 1606 Style Renaissance in the Style of Hendrick de Keyser Restoration/reuse 1891 and 1976

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6 Begijnhof and Kapel

Spui Since 1150 a group of women, The Begijnen, form a type of Architect new Chapel religious life, taking care of sick people. They are not married or Philips Vingboons chaste, although they are not nuns; they keep their belongings Year first house built and can cancel their vows and leave at any time. 1346 Already in the 14th century the Begijnen and the Beghynhuys Oldest chapel built in are mentioned. On August 7, 1393, the sovereign Albrecht 1397 van Beyeren enforces the statutes of the Begijnhof in a letter. Restoration/reuse The Begijnhof lies almost one meter below the rest of the 1987 inner city, at the medieval street level, and is originally surrounded by water (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Spui and Begijnensloot). In 1417 an extension takes place along the Spui and many new houses are added.

5 Amsterdams Historisch Museum/ former orphanage

Since 1975 the Amsterdams Historisch Museum is situated in Kalverstraat 92 the former orphanage, after major restoration by the archi- Architects tects B. van Kasteel and J. Schipper. The orphanage consists Pieter de Keyser, of 3 parts. The boys’ school, designed by Pieter de Keyser in Jacob van Campen renaissance style, is built on top of a colonnade of the cor- Building period ridor to the Kalverstraat. The girls’ house, with monumental 1635, 1739, 1744 brick facades, is situated where the Sint Luciën Convent for- Style merly existed. This house is renewed by designs of architect Renaissance and Jacob van Campen. The former Old Men’s House, on the Dutch Classicism western side, is renovated in 1739. A fourth façade, on the Restoration/reuse East side, dates from 1744 and finishes the inner court in 1975 Dutch Classicism style. The boys’ and the girls’ schools are divided by the Begijnsloot and filled up in 1865. On this spot you can now find the glass gallery with paintings of the civic guards of Amsterdam, which forms a passage to the Begijnhof.

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In 1417 the city signs a document in which it stipulates that the open space, now called Spui, will stay open forever. Up to 7 Bartolottihuis, part of now this has proved successful. Already in 1397 the Begijnen have their own small chapel, devoted to the Virgin Mary. Theater Instituut Nederland When a big part of the Begijnhof and the Chapel are destroyed during two big fires in the city (1421 and 1452), the houses are rebuilt in stone instead of wood. The Theater Instituut Nederland is owner of five vastly different Because of the Alteration, in 1578 the Begijnen have to monumental canal houses in a row, which were built between surrender the church on the Begijnhof to the British. Since 1620 and 1740. One of these is the Bartolottihuis at # 170-172, then, it is called “The English Church”. The “recent” chapel is designed by Hendrick de Keyser and executed by his son designed in 1665 by the architect Philips Vingboons (1607- Pieter. This beautiful building was commissioned by Guillelmo 1678). Bartolotti (Willem van den Heuvel), one of the richest In the 17th and 18th century some of the facades of the houses Amsterdam merchants at that time, who changed his name to have been replaced, but eighteen houses still have the original obtain an Italian heritage. The house is an example of an early Gothic wooden frame. During the restoration of the Begijnhof 17th century house with an adjacent house, a forerunner of the (1984-1987), by architect Joop van Stigt, he enlarges the so called “double house”. The ridge of the roof is parallel with houses to one- and two bedrooms and because of that the the canal and behind this house a transverse house is situated number of female tenants is down from 140 to 105. The façade (the side house). of the Chapel is restored and a portal is installed. The Chapel is widened on both sides, including the left side, where a chapel is made for the Begijnen.

Herengracht 170-172 Architect Hendrick de Keyser Year of construction 1620 Style Amsterdam Renaissance in the style of Hendrick de Keyser Restoration/reuse 1971 and 1997

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After The Second World War the first restoration takes place in 1968/71 (by the Foundation Hendrick de Keyser), when the gable of the façade is reconstructed. The canal house with the oldest neckgable of Amsterdam, Herengracht 168 dating from 1638, is designed by Philips Vingboons (1607-1678). He represents Dutch Classicism style and is at the peak of the power and wealth of Amsterdam. By the mid 17th century he is the most important architect of Amsterdam. He designs mainly dwelling-houses and is denied commissions from the municipality because of his Catholic religion. The corridor of the house at # 168 is said to be the most beautiful in Amsterdam. The restoration of the buildings, which are part of the Dutch Theatre Institute and executed by the architects van Stigt, is not an easy job. All 70 workers have to continue their work, while the library is open. Besides, a good “routing” has to be developed between the reception and the restaurant in the period rooms, as well as the routing in the museum (in houses 166/168) and the library (168/170). In the roofing of 168, by combining two stories of the building, an auditorium is created including a “balcony”, This style you will see in many so called clandestine churches. 8 Westerkerk

Prinsengracht 281 The Calvinist (state) church is built and paid for by the city Architect following the big extension of city limits in Amsterdam in the Hendrick de Keyser and 17th century. Building starts in 1620 on the 9th of September. son Pieter de Keyser The church is opened in 1631 and the Westertoren in 1638. Building period The design of the Westerkerk is made by city architect 1620-38 Hendrick de Keyser. When he dies in 1621 his son Pieter Style continues the work and makes an alteration in the new trend Renaissance in architecture: classical austerity. As a show-piece of the Restoration/reuse municipality, the tower includes city arms and the Emperors 1984 crown. In the Westerkerk you find graves of merchants, artisans and painters, including Rembrandt. In 1810, under the French government, the separation of church and state becomes final. The parish becomes the owner of the church, but the city remains the owner of the tower.

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In the 20th century the church deteriorates.The roof leaks, moisture causes cracking walls, the plaster comes off and a 9 Felix Meritis rotting process is progressing in the wall seats. In 1983 archi- tect Joop van Stigt designs a restoration plan paid for by the The society Felix Meritis (Happy through Merit) exists from 1776 until Protestant Parish, the Foundation for Restoration of the 1888 and is founded to create more interest and spread knowledge Westerkerk and the campaign ‘Save the Wester’. In 1984 the among citizens of art and science. The architect is Jacob Otten Husly restoration starts with the roof. The drainage system is renewed (1738-1796), who designs the richly decorated exterior, as well as the and the oak roof construction is replaced, for a large part by interior in the Louis XVI style, in which you see the return to the a kind of wood that is resistant to fungus and the long horn Classicism. This is illustrated by the colossal columns and the fronton at beetles. The new wood does not contain any tannic acid that the façade. It is an early example of scaling-up in width and height because affects the lead roofing material. The 17th century cramp-iron the building is situated on three lots and is twice as high as the buildings and chains which keep the building together, are totally that were built there previously. In 1932 part of the building is destroyed rusted and cause cracks. These are replaced by stainless by a fire. After World War II the Dutch Communist Party holds office in the steel ones. The bricks that are in good shape are cleaned, building and from the 1970’s the Shaffy Theatre resides here. Since a and those in poor state are replaced by 17th century stones couple of years the original name and cultural purpose are back. Felix obtained from other places. New bricks are used in places Meritis is again a (European) meeting point for artists, scientists and people where they are invisible. The pointing is done with mortar that who are culturally interested. Since the 1990’s the building is maintained allows moisture to pass, enabling the walls to “breathe”. The and restored by volunteers of the Felix Meritis Foundation. floor heating prevents moisture damage and helps to create a pleasant stay in the church.

Keizersgracht 324 Architect Jacob Otten Husly Year of construction 1787 Style Louis XVI style Restoration/reuse From 1998