Behind the Facades: Long Listening Route about Our Colonial Past

In the centre of Amsterdam, countless stories about the city's colonial past are hidden behind the facades. Take this audio route and walk past special stories about, among others, the mayor's house, Waterlooplein and the Oost-Indisch Huis. Sometimes, you can still see the history clearly, but often, the traces have disappeared.

Free entrance

Behind the Facades: Long Listening Route about Our Colonial Past

Dates

Tue 28 Jan10:00 - 17:00

Wed 29 Jan10:00 - 17:00

Thu 30 Jan10:00 - 17:00

More dates

Location

Stadsarchief Amsterdam - De Bazel

Vijzelstraat 32

1017 HL Amsterdam

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Contact

+31 20 2511511

stadsarchief@amsterdam.nl

Listening route about our colonial past

The route starts and ends at the Amsterdam City Archives. That archive is housed in the former headquarters of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij, founded to trade in colonial goods. A striking building with visible colonial traces, such as the statue of JP Coen high above the facade.

There are two routes: a short route for families and children up to 14 years old and a long route suitable for adults, children aged 15-18, and students. The long route includes all locations of the short route.

Both routes start and end with spoken word by the Amsterdam word artist Luan Buleshkaj.

You can pick up a paper route map for free at the City Archives, Vijzelstraat 32. You can also download the map. You will also learn more about the archival sources used to create this listening route there.

Please note: the times mentioned are the opening hours of the City Archives.