Maagdenhuis, Historical administrative center at Spui, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The Maagdenhuis is a neoclassical building at Spui in the heart of Amsterdam, featuring a stone facade and an ornate sculptural tympanum created by Anthonie Seisonis. The structure combines multiple original buildings into a unified design with symmetrical facades and a central arrangement of spaces.
Construction was completed in 1780 according to designs by architect Abraham van der Hart and the building initially served as a Catholic girls' orphanage. From 1961 onwards, it was converted into administrative offices for the University of Amsterdam, marking a significant shift in its primary function.
The name comes from its original purpose as a girls' orphanage, a role still reflected in how the building's spaces are arranged. Walking through, you notice how the layout was designed to organize daily life for its former residents.
The building is located at Spui 21 directly in the university quarter, making it easy to find and visit. You can view the exterior of this landmark and see how it fits into the modern university complex.
The construction required demolishing nine separate buildings along nearby streets to make room for this unified composition. This was a major undertaking for its time and significantly altered the street layout of the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
