Stopera, Opera house and city hall at Waterlooplein, Netherlands
Stopera is an opera house and city hall at Waterlooplein that features a curved white marble facade extending along the Amstel River. The complex building combines municipal offices with performance spaces and provides extensive facilities for different art forms.
The structure was built in the early 1980s as a result of intense public debate that sparked protests and unrest. Despite initial resistance, the project was completed and developed into a recognized cultural center for the city.
The building houses three major institutions—Dutch National Opera, Dutch National Ballet, and Holland Symfonia—under one roof. This arrangement made the place a center for performing arts where opera, ballet performances, and symphony concerts regularly take place.
The main auditorium accommodates over 1,000 visitors across multiple levels, and underground parking is available beneath the building. Visitors should allow plenty of time to explore the venue and enjoy the surroundings along the Amstel.
The name Stopera did not come from combining Dutch words, but originated as a protest slogan during the construction process. This label, born from resistance, eventually became the official and well-known name of the building.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
