De Ratelaar Statue

Have you ever heard of a ratelaar? Right here in Amsterdam, at Kwakersplein, stands the De Ratelaar statue. It’s a bronze figure, a man holding a ratelaar, a kind of wooden rattle. De Ratelaar statue isn’t just any artwork. It’s a tribute to a forgotten profession and a fascinating piece of Amsterdam’s history. The statue was created by Rob Cerneúcs in 2007. It commemorates the 130th anniversary of Amsterdam’s cleaning service. The inscription on the statue tells the story. Before modern sanitation, the ratelaar played a vital role. He would walk ahead of the “Bolboot” cart, the honey wagon that collected waste. His rattle announced their arrival, giving residents time to bring out their…well, you get the picture. Later, as sanitation improved, the ratelaar’s role shifted. He announced the arrival of the garbage trucks, particularly if they came at unusual times. Rinus Voorhaar, Amsterdam’s last ratelaar, served as the model for the statue. He lived nearby on Tollensstraat and dedicated 36 years of his life to this unique job. He would often say the best time was New Year’s. Ratelaars were allowed to ask for tips, running up and down stairs collecting money. In the evening, they would sit and count their earnings together. The De Ratelaar statue is more than just a bronze figure. It’s a window into a time when even waste disposal had its own rituals and characters. It’s a reminder of the hard work and dedication of those who kept Amsterdam clean, long before modern conveniences. The statue also stands near the former headquarters of the city’s cleaning service, connecting the artwork to the very heart of its historical context.