Olympiaplein

Hidden in plain sight, Olympiaplein whispers tales of Amsterdam’s vibrant past. Olympiaplein isn’t just a square. It’s a sprawling space, one of Amsterdam’s largest, where athletic spirit meets urban life. Envisioned in 1926 as part of Berlage’s Plan Zuid, Olympiaplein was designed with the 1928 Olympics in mind. The Olympic Games inspired not only the square’s name, but also the surrounding streets, echoing ancient Greek history and mythology. Olympiaplein stretches between Apollolaan and Olympiaweg towards Stadionweg and Parnassusweg. A subtle dividing line runs through its center, marking the postal code boundary between 1076 and 1077. At the heart of Olympiaplein lies a vast sports park. Built around 1927 in anticipation of the Olympic Games, it initially boasted an eight-lane track, a training ground for athletes. From 1936, it became the home of AV Sagitta athletics club. A darker chapter unfolded in June 1943, when the sports field served as a gathering point for Jewish residents before their deportation to Westerbork. In June 2022, “Shadows” by Ram Katzir was unveiled, a poignant reminder of this tragic event. The sports park underwent a dramatic transformation between 2002 and 2007. The historic track was removed after AV Sagitta moved to the Olympic Stadium. Today, Olympiaplein houses football fields for Swift and a new, shorter track. A striking fence by Ruud-Jan Kokke encircles the park. It earned him a Dutch Design Award in 2008. A building dedicated to sports injury treatment also stands on the grounds. To the south, a youth sports area known as the “Half Moon” features a tribute to Fanny Blankers-Koen. Olympiaplein holds the distinction of being the most expensive public land in Amsterdam. Its central location, close to the city center, the A10 highway, and the Zuidas business district, makes it highly desirable. Residential buildings frame Olympiaplein. On the east side, luxurious apartments in the Amsterdam School style grace Apollobuurt. On the west, social housing units line Stadionbuurt. Along the south side, a row of shops offers local businesses and interrupts Stadionweg. Look north, and you’ll find the former Van Heutsz monument, now the Indies-Netherlands Monument. Renovated in 2006, it spans the entire width of the sports park. Just across the bridge lies Het Amsterdams Lyceum, its pre-war gatehouse a testament to another era. Hildo Krop’s sculptures adorn the Lyceum bridge, adding artistic flair to the landscape. On the corner of Apollolaan stands the luxurious Schouwenhoek apartment complex, a showcase of pre-war architectural style. From the Lyceum gate, a visual axis extends southward, crossing the bridge, Olympiaplein, and Parnassusweg. Buses and trams run along the south side of the square, connecting Olympiaplein to the wider city.