Entree de Borcht Gate

Hidden behind the Amstelpark, near the old windmill, awaits a surprise. This is the Entree de Borcht. It’s not just any entrance. The Entree de Borcht is a giant, stainless steel artwork, designed by Joost Conijn in 2006. The city commissioned five artists to create new entrances for the park. The goal was to make the Amstelpark more appealing as an attraction. The entrances needed to be both practical and artistic. Conijn’s design for the Entree de Borcht was inspired by a pop-up book. Imagine a flat, two-dimensional surface transforming into a 3D structure. That’s the magic of a pop-up book. That’s the idea behind this gate. The gate doesn’t swing open like a normal gate. Instead, it pivots at a 45-degree angle. This creates a surprising, almost theatrical reveal as you enter the park. The gate itself is a complex mechanism. The left part isn’t fixed. It’s actually a separate gate on wheels, allowing the entire structure to be opened for larger vehicles. This access is vital for park maintenance and emergency services. But this ingenious design had an unforeseen consequence. Park staff had to kneel every morning and evening to operate the lower hinge. Initially, the Entree de Borcht raised safety concerns. People worried that children might climb on the angled gate. Protective measures, like a surrounding fence, were considered but never implemented. Tragically, in August 2023, a hinge broke. The heavy gate fell on a jogger, causing serious injuries. The Entree de Borcht was subsequently removed. Today, only its story remains, a reminder of its innovative design and its unfortunate end.