In short
De Bazel is the imposing former bank headquarters on Vijzelstraat that now houses Amsterdam City Archives, or Stadsarchief Amsterdam. Its patterned exterior and former vaults make it rewarding even if you are not researching family history.
The change of use is part of its appeal: a building designed to protect a financial institution’s assets now makes the city’s documentary heritage accessible. Combine an architectural look with the Schatkamer, while keeping ordinary public access separate from paid exhibitions and scheduled tours.
☰ Table of content
De Bazel opening hours and free or ticketed areas
General visitor hours are Tuesday–Friday, 10:00–17:00, and Saturday–Sunday, 12:00–17:00. The Schatkamer and Filmzaal are free; exhibitions in the separate exhibition hall have their own ticket conditions. Research services keep more restricted hours, so a weekend sightseeing visit is not a substitute for a planned archive appointment.
Hours
-
Tuesday–Friday 10:00–17:00
General visitor hours
-
Saturday–Sunday 12:00–17:00
Research services have separate weekday hours
-
Monday Closed to ordinary visitors
Check exceptions and special arrangements
Prices
-
Schatkamer and Filmzaal Free
Public displays; follow current access instructions
-
Exhibition hall From €10
Adult exhibition admission; check concessions and ticket requirements
-
Building tours Separate booking
Different from ordinary free public access
What to see at Amsterdam City Archives
Start by reading the building as a former bank: the repeated geometry, substantial scale and protected basement spaces had practical and symbolic roles. Inside, visit the areas currently open to the public rather than treating the working archive as an unrestricted historic-house tour.
The geometric exterior Architecture highlight
Compare the bands, window rhythms and sculpted details of this substantial former headquarters. Its scale contrasts with the narrower houses beside the canals.
The central hall
Orient yourself in the public hall before choosing the treasury, exhibition room or another visitor area. Staff can explain current access and ticket arrangements.
The Schatkamer
The treasury occupies the former bank vault. Its Art Deco setting and displays bring the building’s earlier function into contact with stories from Amsterdam’s past.
Temporary exhibitions
The exhibition hall presents changing displays. Check what is on and the relevant ticket conditions, even if you qualify for free admission.
Historic rooms on scheduled tours
A building tour can include spaces beyond the normal public route. Follow the advertised programme; do not assume every room is independently accessible.
Plan your De Bazel visit
Decide whether you want a short architecture stop, the free treasury display or a scheduled tour. For a temporary exhibition, confirm the correct ticket separately; access to the public hall does not automatically include every gallery.
Weekday opening
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00–17:00
Weekend opening
Saturday–Sunday, 12:00–17:00
Visit type
Architecture, city history and a working archive
Look for
Geometric façade and former bank treasury
Suggested duration
45–75 minutes, plus exhibitions or tours
Access advice
Use the appropriate lift entrance if steps are difficult
How to visit De Bazel and its former bank vaults
Allow roughly 45–75 minutes for a first look at the public spaces and Schatkamer, adding time for a temporary exhibition or booked tour. Follow staff instructions around archive and research areas.
The optional Financial History Tour below is a wider private city walk whose published route includes the City Archives and former bank vaults. The listed starting price is From €375 per group, not per-person admission to De Bazel. The operator’s route and access conditions apply; this is distinct from the Stadsarchief’s own scheduled building tours.
Good to know
- Free public areas and paid exhibitions are separate.
- The main entrance has steps; accessible lift routes are available at the bookshop and café entrances.
- Ask staff about the appropriate route for a heavier wheelchair or mobility scooter.
- Research rooms and upper floors are working areas, not automatically open for sightseeing.
Practical tips
- Leave time for the Schatkamer, housed in the former vault.
- Check the day’s exhibition and tour arrangements before arriving.
- Use lockers for small belongings; published guidance says suitcases will not fit.
- Respect quiet research spaces and keep food and drinks out of exhibition rooms.
Getting to De Bazel on Vijzelstraat
The main visitor entrance is at Vijzelstraat 32, between Herengracht and Keizersgracht. Rokin and Vijzelgracht metro stations are useful starting points. Rembrandtplein is close by; choose your final walking route using current transport information.
Rokin and Vijzelgracht are useful stations for the final walk. Check the current route and accessible exits before travelling.
Choose an appropriate central stop using the current GVB planner, then continue to Vijzelstraat 32 on foot.
Allow roughly 25 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, 15 minutes from Dam Square or 5 minutes from Rembrandtplein, excluding stops and crossings.
Vijzelstraat 32, Amsterdam
Official Transport in Barcelona
From banking headquarters to a public archive
De Bazel was built for the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij (NHM) and officially opened on 4 October 1926. Architect Karel P.C. de Bazel died in 1923, before his final major project was completed. The scale of the headquarters expressed the bank’s institutional power.
Read allShow less
Read allShow less
The building’s decoration also reflects the international and colonial networks behind that wealth. The Suikerramen, or sugar windows, were donated in 1924 by Java sugar enterprises. Designed by Antoon Derkinderen and completed by Joep Nicolas, they belong to the historic meeting-room interiors rather than a guaranteed independent visitor route.
These decorative programmes should be read critically alongside the history of colonial trade and labour. A grand bank interior is not simply a neutral display of prosperity; its imagery also records how the institution wished to present its activities.
Following later banking mergers, the building served as ABN AMRO headquarters until 2000. Amsterdam City Archives moved in during 2007. The former vault became the Schatkamer, opening a once-protected financial space to a much wider public.
Details that reveal the building’s former purpose
- The building’s name remembers its architect, rather than the bank that commissioned it.
- The former vault now serves a public storytelling role as the Schatkamer.
- Art Deco decoration survives alongside a working archive’s modern functions.
- Not every historic room is part of ordinary access; a building tour can offer a different route.
Discover canal history and guided city walks
Stay near Vijzelstraat and the southern canal belt
Staying around Vijzelstraat, Herengracht or Rembrandtplein puts the southern historic centre within walking distance. Compare noise levels and lift access in older properties. The accommodation map below is centred on De Bazel; availability depends on your dates.
De Bazel: frequently asked questions
What is De Bazel?
It is the former NHM bank headquarters on Vijzelstraat, opened in 1926 and now home to Amsterdam City Archives.
Is De Bazel free to visit?
The Schatkamer and Filmzaal are free. The separate exhibition hall and scheduled tours have their own ticket arrangements.
What are the opening hours?
General visitor hours are Tuesday–Friday 10:00–17:00 and Saturday–Sunday 12:00–17:00. Monday is not an ordinary visitor day; check exceptions.
Can I enter the old bank vault?
The former vault is now the Schatkamer, a public display area. Follow the current visitor route and staff instructions.
Are all historic rooms open?
No. This is a working archive, and some rooms are accessible through scheduled tours or specific events rather than independent sightseeing.
Is the Financial History Tour a De Bazel entry ticket?
No. It is an optional private city walk including the City Archives and former bank vaults in its published itinerary. Its starting price is per group, separate from ordinary free access.
Is there an accessible entrance?
The main entrance has steps. The archive provides lift routes at the bookshop and café entrances and a separate arrangement for heavier wheelchairs or scooters; ask staff which route is suitable.
Can I do archive research at weekends?
Research services have more restricted weekday hours. Check the Information Centre and Study Room schedule before planning a research visit.
