Stopped in time it seems, Herberg Zeeburg stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s rich past. This former inn whispers tales of bustling trade and resilient communities. Let’s explore the story of this remarkable building.
Herberg Zeeburg was built in 1675. Back then, this area was still part of Diemen near Fort Zeeburg. Ships docked at the so-called “Mosselsteiger” near the inn. A lively trade in livestock and fish developed here. Animals were unloaded and sometimes fattened up.
The inn had stables, sheds and a haystack. Later, it even had a landing place for harbor steamboats. Herberg Zeeburg got its current look in 1766. In the second half of the 19th century, six bathhouses were added. But this venture wasn’t successful. Horse races also took place here.
The livestock trade moved to the new Veemarkt in 1887. In 1896, the area became part of Amsterdam. This was due to the annexation of Diemen for the construction of the Indische Buurt. Herberg Zeeburg remained an inn until 1915.
Later, the building became part of the Gemeentelijk Quarantaine Station. It was later called Quarantaine Inrichting Zeeburg. This included a villa and about ten barracks. The management was based in the villa. The office was located in Herberg Zeeburg. The complex stood empty in the 1930s. Refugees were housed in the barracks at that time.
After 1945, the Noodziekenhuis Zeeburg was established here. Herberg Zeeburg served as its office. The emergency hospital became obsolete in 1975. This was due to the arrival of the Slotervaartziekenhuis. The barracks disappeared. But the former inn was spared as a national monument.
The outside remains largely in its original state. After renovation, the building now houses apartments. This changed the layout completely. Today, it is the oldest building in the Indische Buurt.
The Zeeburgerdijk is named after the Seeburg fortress. It stood along the dike in the 17th century. Before that, it was called Sint Anthonisdijk. The dike dates back to the 13th century. It was part of the old dike along the Zuiderzee. It connected Amsterdam with Muiden. Before the Watergraafsmeer was reclaimed, it was the only land connection to Naarden.
From the 17th to the 19th century, the dike was a popular place for Amsterdam residents to stroll. Around Herberg Zeeburg, there were several recreational facilities. It was also the landing place for sea transport of livestock. The livestock came from Hannover and other places.
From the end of the 19th century, the area along the dike was built up. This began with the construction of the Dapperbuurt, the Oostelijk Havengebied and the Indische Buurt. From the First World War, the area around Herberg Zeeburg was used as a quarantine facility. It served as a reception camp for refugees. Until 1975, it housed the Noodziekenhuis Zeeburg. The rest of the dike was built with houses and schools.
In 1938, Jewish children were housed here. Their desperate parents had put them on the train to flee Hitler’s Germany. After the war, the barracks served as an emergency hospital. It was used for tuberculosis patients among others. They were demolished after the opening of the Slotervaartziekenhuis.
The municipality took over the dilapidated inn. In 1977, it was rented to a former group of squatters. The agreement was that the residents would take care of the interior. The municipality would take care of the exterior.
Now Herberg Zeeburg stands as a reminder. It is a reminder of Amsterdam’s evolving story. From a lively inn to a refuge for those in need, its walls hold countless memories.