Geuzeneiland

Hidden away in the southeastern corner of Amsterdam’s Geuzenveld district lies Geuzeneiland, a small islet also known as “Children’s Island”. Geuzeneiland is embraced by a triangle of tranquil canals and shaded by a ring of trees. It’s a world apart, nestled northwest of Sloterpark and just south of Geleyn Bouwenszstraat. Geuzeneiland emerged in the late 1950s during the construction of Geuzenveld. Originally intended as a recreational space for all residents, with a playground, an open-air theatre, an aviary, and even a terrarium, these ambitious plans never fully materialized due to funding shortages. Nature, in a way, reclaimed the island. Children from local schools flocked to Geuzeneiland, a safe haven away from traffic where they could play and participate in summer camps, even sleeping overnight in tents. A small clubhouse provides changing rooms and space for supervisors. Access to Geuzeneiland was initially controlled by a unique pull-ferry, a pair of oval floats connected by metal plates that slotted onto stones on either bank. A staff member manually operated the ferry, ensuring access was restricted when needed. However, winter’s icy grip often rendered the canals passable, allowing unauthorized visitors onto the island. Horses arrived on Geuzeneiland in 1964, initially for summer camps, but riding lessons began in 1966. The island’s destiny shifted, and it evolved into the riding school it is today. Managed by the municipality for decades, Stichting Manege Geuzeneiland took over in 2013. Geuzeneiland briefly hosted pop music events. A pop weekend in June 1972, organized by youth center Buddha, featured bands like Grim Harvest and Space 7. A larger youth music festival followed in June 1974, but poor promotion led to disappointing attendance and many cancellations. The original pull-ferry was replaced by a gated wooden bridge in 1987. A temporary second bridge from Sloterpark, also gated, was built earlier in 1974 to accommodate the horses. Geuzeneiland, once a dream of diverse recreation, found its true calling as a beloved riding school, a hidden gem within the city, whispering tales of summer camps and music festivals past.