De Vrijheidslaan

Name change

Vrijheidslaan is one of the Amsterdam streets that has changed its name several times. The avenue was originally called Amstellaan. The 2 large branching avenues were known as Noorder Amstellaan and Zuider Amstellaan. After WWII it was decided to name the avenues after leaders of the countries that defeated the Nazis, namely the US and Russia. This is how Churchill and Rooseveltlaan were created. The Amstellaan became Stalinlaan. After the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, on November 14 of that year, the avenue was renamed again and was named Vrijheidslaan.

Amsterdam School style

Although various architects have worked on Vrijheidslaan, the overall appearance certainly forms one whole. Although the architects were only allowed to design the facades, they were not free to determine everything themselves. A committee set far-reaching requirements regarding, for example, height and choice of materials. For example, the architects on Amstellaan were obliged to use the same yellow-colored stone, but requirements were also imposed on the color of the joints, the roof covering and the color of the paintwork.

For more information about the architecture of the Amsterdam School and Plan Berlage, visit the Museum het Schip website .