Amsterdam City Archives

City Archives

Besides the archives of the municipality itself, many other archives are managed, such as from various churches and hospitals, but also from associations and companies in Amsterdam. With more than 50 kilometers of archives, a historical-topographical collection with millions of maps, drawings and prints, a library and extensive sound, film and photo archives, the Amsterdam City Archives is the most beautiful archive in the world.

How to visit the City Archives with your City Card

It is not necessary to reserve a time slot to visit this location with your City Card. Make sure that your City Card is valid at the time of your visit.

New Depot in Amsterdam North

The new archive depot, the Amsterdam City Archives, is located in Amsterdam Noord. The fully energy-neutral archive repository is an extension of the depot spaces of the Amsterdam City Archives in the De Bazel building on Vijzelstraat. The public remains welcome there for research, exhibitions, events and courses. The new storage facility has been developed, built and is being maintained by BAM Bouw en Techniek. Architectural firm Cepezed designed the building on behalf of BAM Bouw en Techniek. With a floor space of 2,665 square meters, it offers space for 45 linear kilometers of archive.

Exhibitions

The archive has regularly changing exhibitions and a permanent collection of attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage Stage. The monumental building De Bazel (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.

Art Deco treasury

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

The new Treasury, Amsterdam in 12 stories

Which stories characterize the city of Amsterdam? Twelve have been chosen for the new permanent presentation in the Treasury of the City Archives. Behind the vault doors of the monumental safe deposit you will find the prosperity of the Golden Age and the center of the world during the VOC, the rebelliousness in Provo, the magic center in the 60s and 70s and the violent squatters' riots of the 80s. And the dark side, including involvement in slavery and the persecution of the Jews in World War II. 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 presentation in the Treasury is freely accessible.

If you want to visit more beautiful rooms of the building and also want to hear the stories, you can participate in the guided tour under expert guidance, on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.

Historical films about Amsterdam are shown in a small cinema.