Palace of Industry

The Paleis voor Volksvlijt was a large hall with a central dome roof made of glass and iron at Frederiksplein. The construction reached a length of about 225 feet and offered space for different events inside.

Work began in 1859 in the presence of King William III and finished in 1864 following a design Samuel Sarphati brought from London. The building burned down completely in 1929 and left only the square that still carries its name today.

The name followed the model of London's Crystal Palace and aimed to show progress through architecture. The building served as a meeting point for concerts and exhibitions where city residents regularly gathered.

Access was through Frederiksplein where a garden with retail spaces was also located. The hall was easy to reach due to its central location in the city and offered space for many visitors at once.

A large concert organ by Cavaillé-Coll was installed in 1875 and attracted famous musicians such as Charles-Marie Widor and Camille Saint-Saëns. These performances helped the hall become known as a music center far beyond Amsterdam.

Location: Amsterdam

Inception: 1864

Architects: Cornelis Outshoorn

GPS coordinates: 52.35967,4.89987

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29