“A sunken city? Here in the Erasmuspark?” That’s what many people wonder when they first see the Monument voor een verdronken stad. This striking sculpture stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s unique history.
Created by artist Berend Peter between 1981 and 1982 it initially stood in the Frederik Hendrikplantsoen. The Monument voor een verdronken stad is more than just a collection of metal and concrete. Its design is a direct response to its surroundings. In its original location it provided a visual counterpoint to the leaning trees of the park. The slightly off-kilter arrangement of the light blue concrete poles is intentional mirroring the tilted growth of the trees.
These poles are not just decorative. They represent the unseen pilings upon which Amsterdam was built. They also allude to the city’s historical position on the edge of the water. This area existed on the boundary between the city’s development and the watery polderland in the 18th and 19th centuries. This is what the title “Monument voor een verdronken stad” meaning Monument for a sunken city refers to.
The sculpture’s journey isn’t over. Due to park renovations it found a new home in the Erasmuspark in 2013. While the leaning trees are absent here the symbolism remains. The sculpture is a key piece within a series titled ‘Fools think to protect’. Another sculpture from this series sits in Amsterdam East.
Interestingly the original concrete was deeply colored blue. For the second sculpture however the contractor apparently forgot the blue pigment. The artist had to manually paint it a pale blue. Later maintenance repainted it a much brighter shade without consulting the artist. The care for the Monument voor een verdronken stad however has always been closely coordinated with the artist himself. This includes its relocation to the Erasmuspark. This sculpture is not simply art. It is a story. It is a reminder. It’s a silent witness to the layers of history built into this incredible city.