Spui

The Spui is one of the most fascinating and dynamic squares in Amsterdam, located in the heart of the city’s historic center. Originally, the Spui was a watercourse that marked the southern boundary of Amsterdam until the 1420s, when the Singel canal was dug as an outer moat around the city. It was only in 1882 that the area was filled in and transformed into the square we know today. The name “Spui” derives from the Dutch term “spuiten,” which means to spray, and originally referred to a sluice for draining water. Today, the Spui is a lively and car-free square, characterized by a tranquil and welcoming atmosphere, enriched by numerous cafes, bookstores, and restaurants that attract both residents and tourists. One of the most recognizable landmarks of the Spui is the statue of Het Lieverdje, “The Little Darling,” erected in 1960. This statue represents the youth of Amsterdam, always ready to play pranks but with a heart of gold. In the 1960s, the statue became the meeting point of the countercultural Provo movement, which organized weekly demonstrations around it. The Spui is also an important cultural center, known for its weekly markets. Every Friday, the square hosts a high-quality book market, where about 25 vendors from all over the country offer old, rare, second-hand, and out-of-print books. This tradition has established the Spui as the “cultural book square” of the Netherlands. Every Sunday, there is an open-air art market, where local and international artists sell paintings, photographs, and sculptures, contributing to a lively and creative atmosphere. In addition to the markets, the Spui is surrounded by historic buildings of great interest. The Maagdenhuis, built between 1783 and 1787 as an orphanage, is now the administrative headquarters of the University of Amsterdam. The Arti et Amicitiae, an artists’ association and art gallery founded in 1839, is located at the corner of Rokin and Spui and is an important meeting point for artists and intellectuals. Another notable building is the Gebouw Helios, built in Art Nouveau style between 1895 and 1896. Originally a fish and seafood shop, it now houses a seafood restaurant. The Oude Lutherse Kerk, the old Lutheran church, dating back to 1632-1633, is located right across from the Singel and is used for Sunday services by the Protestant Church of the Netherlands. The Spui also offers direct access to the Begijnhof, one of the oldest and most tranquil courtyards in Amsterdam, founded in the 14th century. The Begijnhof is famous for its elegant houses and for hosting the oldest house in Amsterdam, a wooden structure dating back to the 16th century. Inside the Begijnhof is also the Engelse Kerk, a 15th-century English Reformed church.