De Burcht

The oldest trade union building in the Netherlands

De Burcht (The Stronghold) is located on the Henri Polaklaan in Amsterdam, in the peaceful Plantage neighbourhood near Artis Zoo. The building was designed in 1899 by the renowned Dutch architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage as the headquarters of the General Dutch Diamond Workers' Union (ANDB), the most powerful and best-organised trade union in the Netherlands at that time.

Berlage drew inspiration from the city palaces of the Italian Renaissance. Using red brick, battlements and a striking square tower, he created a building that conveyed the dignity and strength of the organised labour movement. The union members affectionately called it their "palace".

The building opened its doors on 1 August 1900. It was recognised as a national monument (Rijksmonument) in 1974. Following a comprehensive restoration in 2010 by the Hendrick de Keyser Association, the building has been returned to its original state as closely as possible.

Architecture and art

Berlage designed not only the building itself, but also the entire interior: furniture, lamps and decorative elements. Together with artists such as R.N. Roland Holst, Lambertus Zijl and Joseph Mendes da Costa, he created a Gesamtkunstwerk, a total work of art where architecture, fine arts and design form an inseparable whole.

The highlights of the interior include twelve monumental wall paintings by Roland Holst in the main meeting hall (Bondsraadzaal), which depict the story of the labour movement. The grand staircase, designed to physically elevate visitors from street level to the meeting rooms above, remains one of the most impressive features of the building.

Henri Polak and the diamond workers

Henri Polak (1868-1943) founded the ANDB in 1894 and went on to establish the Dutch Federation of Trade Unions (NVV) in 1905, the predecessor of today's FNV. Polak believed that workers had a right to dignity, knowledge and beauty. This conviction shaped both the building and the organisation that was housed within it.

The diamond workers' community, largely Jewish, was devastated during the Second World War. Two thousand Amsterdam diamond workers were murdered. A memorial plaque in the entrance hall commemorates those who did not return.

Today

De Burcht currently functions as a museum, heritage site and centre for the scientific study of trade unions and labour relations. The Henri Polak Institute organises exhibitions, symposia, lectures and educational programmes exploring the history and future of labour relations.

The building also serves as a venue for conferences, meetings and special occasions. Its monumental halls offer an inspiring setting for gatherings of various sizes.

Visiting De Burcht

De Burcht is open to the public on selected dates throughout the year. Guided tours for groups are available by appointment. During a tour, visitors can admire the interior, including the meeting hall with Roland Holst's paintings, the historic staircase and the various conference rooms. For bookings and further information, please visit the contact page.

For information about opening dates, guided tours, or venue hire, please contact the organisation via e-mail at [email protected].