Het Lieverdje, Bronze monument at Spui Square, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Het Lieverdje is a small bronze statue on Spui Square depicting a cheeky street boy standing about 1.5 meters tall with his hands behind his back. The monument sits in a busy pedestrian area surrounded by bookstores and cultural venues at the corner of Spui and Kalverstraat.
Sculptor Carel Kneulman created this monument in 1960, financed by a cigarette manufacturer and unveiled by Amsterdam's mayor's wife. During the 1960s, it became a gathering point for protest movements when activists met regularly to demonstrate against social norms.
The name means "dear boy" in Dutch and refers to a cheeky street urchin representing freedom and independence. The figure became a symbol for young people rebelling against authority and choosing their own paths.
The monument sits in the middle of Spui Square and is easy to reach on foot from surrounding shopping streets. The location stays crowded during the day and offers some standing room, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon when foot traffic is lighter.
A distinctive aspect of this monument is its history of damage and repair, which shows its connection to the people. The elbow was damaged when a delivery truck knocked it over in 2024, then underwent careful restoration, highlighting how much Amsterdammers value this spot.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
