“Naatje” someone muttered just now. Here we are standing before a space where a monument once stood. The Eendracht War memorial has a story. It is a story of national pride, decay, and ultimately, disappearance.
The Eendracht, officially named De Eendracht, was erected between 1856 and 1914. It stood proudly on the Dam Square, opposite the Royal Palace. Its purpose was to commemorate the Tiendaagse Veldtocht or Ten Days’ Campaign. This was a military campaign in 1831. King Willem I sought to bring the Southern Netherlands back under Dutch rule.
After the campaign, veterans wanted a national monument. It would honor the campaign and symbolize Dutch unity. Louis Royer, a Flemish artist, created De Eendracht. He had already made statues of Rembrandt and Vondel for Amsterdam. Paul Tétar van Elven designed the pedestal.
The first stone was laid on December 10, 1855. The monument was unveiled on August 27, 1856. King Willem III and veteran soldiers attended. A gust of wind caused an early unveiling. The statue was seventeen meters high. It featured an octagonal base made of Belgian bluestone. A lion adorned the base. Many thought the lion was not impressive. The Dutch Maiden stood on top. She was almost four meters tall.
The monument quickly gained a nickname Naatje Eendracht or Naatje op de Dam. Later, it was simply called Naatje. The origin of the name is unclear. Some say people misread “NATIE” as “NATJE” which was a common name. Others believe it referred to a rude term.
Sadly, the Eendracht faced decay. Frost and rain damaged the stone. Naatje lost part of her nose. Her head was sawn off for restoration. It was later screwed back on. In 1907, her right arm broke off. It fell into the fountain basin. The arm was never replaced. The weather also damaged her forehead, cheeks, and calves. When important visitors came, the monument was covered in flowers. This hid the damaged statue.
In 1913, city officials decided to remove the statue. The Dam Square was being renovated. Tram tracks were being moved. On April 8, 1914, Naatje was removed. A song at the time said “All of Amsterdam is in mourning.” It said Naatje had to disappear for the electric tram.
The remains were moved to the Stedelijk Museum. In the 1930s, the head was seen in the sculpture garden. It has never been found since. The saying “het is naatje” means “it is worthless”. It likely refers to the monument’s poor condition.
Today, only stories and images remain of the Eendracht War memorial. Though gone, Naatje van de Dam reminds us of fleeting glory. It symbolizes both national pride and the ravages of time.