Jac. P. Thijsseplein

Who would have thought a square could have so many names? Here at Jac. P. Thijsseplein, the history of Amsterdam whispers through the rustling leaves. Jac. P. Thijsseplein wasn’t always called that. It started its life in the 1920s as Heimansplein, named after the nature writer Eli Heimans. He brought the beauty of nature to everyday people, describing the very flowers that inspired the street names around us. Imagine strolling through streets named after ‘sleutelbloem’ (primrose), connecting with nature in the heart of the city. During World War II, the name Heimansplein, along with Heimansweg, was changed to Eschdoornplein (Maple Square) and Eschdoornweg by the occupying forces. This was a deliberate erasure of Heimans’ Jewish heritage. After the war, Heimansweg regained its original name. However, the square was rechristened in 1946 as Jac. P. Thijsseplein, honoring another prominent naturalist. The square’s buildings themselves tell a story. Architect Jan Ernst van der Pek designed the west and southeast facades around 1926. Jacoba Mulder designed the northeast facade a few years later, including charming single-story homes for the elderly. Look closely, and you’ll see two blocks that stand apart. These were rebuilt after wartime bomb damage, designed by Gerrit Jan Rutgers in 1947. He had to adapt his signature Amsterdam School style to blend with Van der Pek’s existing architecture. In 1950, renowned architect Aldo van Eyck, in collaboration with Jacoba Mulder, added a unique touch to Jac. P. Thijsseplein: a modern playground. Van Eyck’s innovative designs included tunnels, a sandbox, and climbing frames. While much of the playground has been replaced with greenery, you can still find Van Eyck’s large tunnel here. Today, Jac. P. Thijsseplein serves as a green oasis, a place of tranquility amidst the urban bustle. The trees planted decades ago now provide shade and help manage rainwater, a testament to the enduring connection between the city and nature.