Stadsarchief Amsterdam

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Stadsarchief Amsterdam was established in 1848 as the municipal archive and remains the city's statutory archive to this day. It holds about 50 kilometers of records, maps, drawings, photos, films and sound recordings covering nearly 750 years of the city's history, and also serves Amstelveen, Ouder-Amstel and Diemen. For a long time it was housed in the Waag and, from 1914, in the former town hall of Nieuwer-Amstel on the Amsteldijk.

In 2007 the archive moved into the De Bazel building on Vijzelstraat. Architect Karel de Bazel designed it as the headquarters of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij, a bank that grew out of the colonial trade and was a forerunner of ABN AMRO; it was completed in 1926, three years after his death. The building follows a strict system of proportions, draws inspiration from theosophical ideas as well as ancient Near Eastern and Javanese architecture, and has been a listed monument since 1991. Figures on the facade recall the colonial past.

For visitors, the main attraction is the Schatkamer, the bank's former vault with Art Deco paintings: here the archive displays original documents from the city's beginnings to the present day, including the toll privilege of 1275, as well as a photo gallery. There is also a film theater showing historical footage, changing exhibitions in the hall and the exhibition gallery, and a reading room and information center for genealogical and local history research.

Highlights

• The Schatkamer in the former bank vault, with Art Deco decoration and original documents on the city's history
• Toll privilege of 1275 in the late medieval charter chest
• Photo gallery with images from Jacob Olie to Cor Jaring
• 72-seat film theater with a continuous program on the city's history
• The monumental De Bazel building (1926) with period rooms, guided tours on Sundays

Permanent exhibitions

• Schatkamer van Amsterdam – Originals from the archive and its collections trace the city's development from medieval settlement to today's metropolis, covering themes such as the slave trade, the persecution of the Jews, Provo and squatters; plus a photo gallery. Free admission.

Founded

1848

Operated by

Gemeente Amsterdam

Director

Bert de Vries

Admission & discounts

The Schatkamer, film theater, information center, reading room and most exhibitions (e.g., in the hall) are free. Admission (€10 for adults) is charged only for exhibitions in the exhibition gallery. Free there with the Museumkaart, Stadspas Amsterdam, I amsterdam City Card, for Friends of the Stadsarchief and for members of the Vereniging Rembrandt – even with free admission, book a ticket online in advance and redeem it at the information desk (Museumkaart holders can walk straight in). Tickets online or at the desk, payment by card; no exchanges.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

From the main entrance, the hall can only be reached by stairs; elevators at the entrances of the Stadsboekwinkel and Café-Restaurant De Bazel (wheelchairs up to 225 kg, self-operated), heavier wheelchairs and mobility scooters via the service entrance at Herengracht 482. Further elevators to the upper floors and to the Schatkamer and film theater. Guided tours for wheelchair users by advance arrangement. Pets are not allowed, but assistance dogs are.

Kids & families

Children and teens up to age 18 get free admission everywhere. There are dedicated educational programs for school classes; the archive does not mention any special family programs.

Getting there & parking

According to the Stadsarchief, a five-minute walk from Rembrandtplein, ten from Leidseplein and fifteen from Dam Square. Main entrance Vijzelstraat 32, service entrance Herengracht 482.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Café-Restaurant De Bazel (coffee, lunch, dinner) and the Stadsboekwinkel bookstore in the building, each with its own entrance on Vijzelstraat. Free lockers with a PIN of your choice (no suitcases). Eating is permitted at the tables in the hall. Free Wi-Fi (sign in via publicroam); little reception in the Schatkamer and film theater.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Conferentiecentrum De Bazel operates meeting and event rooms in the building; guided tours can be combined with coffee, a reception or lunch through Café De Bazel.

Plan your visit