Amsterdam City Archives

Stories from Amsterdam

Amsterdam City Archives preserves and tells the stories of Amsterdam. It is the historical documentation center of the city. With 50 kilometers of archives, a historical-topographical collection with millions of maps, drawings, objects, prints, a library and extensive sound, film and photo archives, there is always something beautiful to find, see and experience.

Tickets for exhibitions in the exhibition hall can be reserved via this ticket link. If you are using the City Card during your visit, select the option: 'other valid admission ticket' under 'Ticket types' when booking. Make sure your City Card is valid at the time of your visit. If you visit one of the exhibitions in the hall and/or in the treasury, these are free and reservations are not necessary.

Exhibitions

The archive has regularly changing exhibitions and a permanent collection of sights including the Amsterdam World Heritage Visitor Center and the Amsterdam Treasury. The monumental De Bazel building (a showpiece of Dutch 20th-century architecture, with colonial and royal allure) in which the archive is located is certainly worth a visit. The building that once served as a bank is full of wonderful stories. Check the link to buy your tickets.

Art Deco Treasure House

Architecture enthusiasts can also indulge themselves in the building, designed by Karel de Bazel, by visiting the Art Deco treasury.

Treasure House Amsterdam in 12 stories

Which stories characterize the city of Amsterdam? Behind the vault doors of the monumental safe deposit (now the Treasury) you will find the prosperity of the 17th century and the center of the world during the VOC, the unruliness in Provo, the magical center in the 60s and 70s and the violent squatter riots of the 1980s. And the dark side, including involvement in slavery and the persecution of Jews in the Second World War. The upper gallery shows the city in a selection of photos by the greats of Amsterdam photography, Jacob Olie, George Breitner, Bernard Eilers, Wim van der Linden and Cor Jaring. The exhibition in the Treasury is free and reservations are not necessary.

Guided tours

Every Sunday afternoon there is a walk-in tour of the building at 2 p.m. Discover more about the art deco Treasury, view the old boiler cellar, visit the monumental period rooms with a colonial past and listen to special stories such as the story of the bullet in the clock during an expert tour of the entire building. A visit to the historical information center, with all the information about Amsterdam residents and their city, is also on the program. You can join us, but email or call 020-2511511 to make a reservation. Children up to 16 years old can participate for free, adults pay €7.50.