What if I told you that beneath this tranquil park lies a chilling past? This is Bilderdijkpark. It is a small park with a big history in Amsterdam-West. It offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle.
The Bilderdijkpark and the street got their names on April 3, 1912. They were named after Willem Bilderdijk. He was a Dutch author, poet, and historian. He was also a linguist and lawyer.
Let’s step back in time. The land beneath Bilderdijkpark was once Amsterdam’s first Roman Catholic cemetery. It was called De Liefde. The adjacent church, also named De Liefde, stood near Da Costastraat. The church was demolished in 1912. A new church was built across from the park. However, it too was demolished around 1990.
Amsterdam’s city council bought the land in 1912. They planned to build a school for the growing population. The Potgieterschool became the first building by the park. Soon, a second school was built. Teachers complained about fleas. Children had to play in the street.
In 1926, part of the cemetery was cleared. It made way for a park rehabilitation center. The remaining graves fell into disrepair. During World War II, the wooden fences were used for firewood. In 1953, families moved many of the remaining graves.
But wait, there’s more to Bilderdijkpark’s story. The small building near Hugo de Grootgracht is the key. That building is a former “pesthuisje”. It is a “pest house” or lijkenhuisje from 1845. J.D. Zocher Jr designed it. He also co-designed the Vondelpark. The lijkenhuisje served as a mortuary. It held bodies of those who died from infectious diseases. Corpses arrived by boat.
For years, the lijkenhuisje stood unused. Later, it housed staff from the rehabilitation center. Now, it is a café-restaurant. It serves Greek specialties. The building is a municipal monument.
Hans Wiegel, a Dutch politician, attended the Potgieterschool. Joseph Robert Wilmington, Lord Mayor of Liverpool, spent his youth here. Since 1990, the Katterug bridge connects the Bilderdijkkade to the Van Reigersbergenstraat. Aldo van Eyck designed the climbing frames by De Waterkant school.
In 2005, Bilderdijkpark underwent renovations. Today, it is a place where you can relax. You can enjoy the greenery. Or you can reflect on the park’s intriguing past.
So, next time you stroll through Bilderdijkpark, remember its layers. From a cemetery to a rehabilitation center. Now it is a vibrant green space. It is a place where history and modern life intertwine.