We all know it as the Paleis op de Dam, but the building originally had a completely different function: that of town hall. According to urban planner René Strijland, the time has come to give the palace back its original function. According to him, it would be good for the identity of Amsterdam.
The building was built in the times of the VOC. According to Strijland, it is good for historical awareness if the city council takes a seat in this loaded place. “I think that if Mrs. Halsema and the groups met here, they would perhaps understand a little more where the city comes from and what the VOC history exactly entails. It is also a heavy burden when it comes to slavery, for example. You feel the historical pressure. It would improve the quality of decision-making.”
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In the VOC period, the town hall of that time played a key role and also had several functions, says Strijland. “The Amsterdam Bank was located on the ground floor, where the shares of the VOC expeditions were issued. In this way, the risk was spread, which was partly the success of the VOC event. You could say that it was a government building and business building in one wash.
Political majority
According to Strijland, the time is right to return the palace to the people of Amsterdam. “There is a political majority that wants it. Nota bene, the CDA of the Amsterdam Center district council submitted a motion to take it back. And if you ask Amsterdammers, they all say it has to go back.”
A small tour of passers-by on Dam Square seems to confirm this image. “The Oranges have plenty of buildings, you don’t have to feel sorry for that,” says a lady when asked. Something Strijland agrees: “They have enough palaces that also look pico bello. They can safely ignore this town hall.”