The Heart of Amsterdam
Once was a neighborhood
Where artists and creatives
Like Rembrandt van Rijn
Lived, dreamed, danced, and strolled
Nowadays
De Wallen -The Red Light District -
Still harbors the boldness of the past
And the gems of today
The heart of the city still remains the center of art and culture
On an international level
But with that typical Amsterdam allure.
Yet, fewer and fewer locals visit this colorful city area.
That's why the neighborhoods’ cultural gems start collaborating.
As a collective ‘Culturele Wallen’ makes culture visible, art tangible, and fringes palpable
So the creative heart of the city
Can beat once again.
Agenda september 7th: cultural route
Want to experience the cultural gems of De Wallen in a day? Join the ‘Culturele Wallen Route’ on Saturday, September 7th. From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, participants of this new initiative will open their doors to everyone in Amsterdam. The event begins at Waag Futurelab on the Nieuwmarkt, where you can see live how a laser cutter makes the special Culture Wallen keychains. After that, everyone is welcome everywhere for a tour, performance, exhibition, workshop, concert, or lecture.
Pre-registration is not required. And of course you can also walk your own route or visit one of the locations separately.
Huis De Pinto
You are welcome here today for a book market, a game of simultaneous chess with international master Arlette van Weerse, and a concert of jazz pianist and singer Sanna van Vliet.
More informationMuseum Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder
At the beginning of 2024, a small renovation took place, creating more space for exhibitions by Amsterdam artists. Now, you can see the presentation "Volmaakt" in this space, which you can visit for free today.
More informationOude Kerk
Today, everyone is welcome for a special (free) tour of the newly opened exhibition "When Doubt Turns into Destiny" by artist Navid Nuur.
More informationFrascati
On Saturday, September 7th, you can book a free ticket for a performance of your choice on the Frascati website between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM using the code "Culturele Wallen".
More informationVlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond
Today at 14h you can get a free tour through the newly opened photography exhibition .tiff 2024.
At the bar restaurant of Brakke Grond you will get a 15% discount on your order if you show the Culturele Wallen map.
Museum Rembrandthuis
Free access today. And free to join the etching- and painting demonstrations and drawing workshops for everyone.
More informationW139
Here, you get free access to the exhibition "Remarkable Meetings with Disgusting Men," featuring works by EMIRHAKIN, Can Demren, ghenwa noiré, Batuhan Keskiner, Jonas Lerch, Zalán Szakács, Mohammed Tatour, Andreas Tegnander & Ossip Blits, and Ksenia Yurkova.
More informationWaag Futurelab
The official opening takes place here today. And it’s also the starting point of the Culturele Wallen Route. Here, you can take a look at the oldest non-religious building in the city and see how a laser cutter works live.
More information
Partners
Huis De Pinto
The over four-century-old Huis De Pinto was the street's only building saved from demolition in the 1970s. When the new metro line was built. It's no wonder this beautiful building is now called 'the best-kept treasure of the neighborhood.' The ground floor of Huis De Pinto is open six days a week for anyone who wants to leisurely read a newspaper or magazine from the selection. There is a silent study and swap-library with books that can be exchanged. Additionally, there are regular concerts, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, and art projects. The upstairs houses Waag Future Labs office, which hosts its events and activities at the Waag.
More informationMuseum Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder
Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder is hidden in a centuries-old canal house and is one of the city's best-kept secrets. The exceptionally well-preserved building has an impressive church in the attic that can be visited daily. This forms the heart of the collection and tells the story of the ‘hidden house churches’ of that time. Most people come here to see how people lived, worked, and worshiped from the 17th century onward. However, it is not widely known that weddings can still take place at this unique location.
More informationOude Kerk
The oldest building in the city now bursts with contemporary art and culture. It is also Amsterdam's oldest concert hall. You can enjoy music, talks, tours, and performances. The Oude Kerk was and is more than just a church, and the building still has that versatile, social function. What not everyone knows is that Saskia Uylenburgh (1612-1642), Rembrandt's first wife and muse, is buried here. And that delicious coffee is served in the beautiful garden.
More informationFrascati
Frascati is a unique theater and production house that provides space for progressive and innovative creators in their development into independent performing artists. Besides four theaters in the Nes, Frascati also has the most delightful mini neighborhood theater in Amsterdam: Theater van Deyssel in Nieuw-West.
More informationVlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond
At de Brakke Grond, you come for innovative Flemish art. De Brakke Grond has expanded from a stage into a network organization, actively seeking connections with the Dutch and international art world. De Brakke Grond initiates programs and collaborations in the fields of performing arts, visual arts, and music. They continually seek, facilitate, or create the right 'context' for Flemish artists and connect them with the Dutch field. What not everyone knows is that you can also enjoy delicious food and drinks at the Eetcafé.
More informationMuseum Rembrandthuis
The Rembrandt House on Jodenbreestraat was the home of Rembrandt van Rijn lived. Here, in the heart of Amsterdam, he lived and worked for nineteen years. He experienced joys and sorrows, collected art and curiosities from around the world, trained his students, received his clients, and created his masterpieces. Nearly 400 years later, Museum Rembrandthuis is the only museum in the world entirely dedicated to Rembrandt. It feels as if you are literally visiting this great Dutch Master. You can't get much closer.
More informationW139
W139 has been a leading place for contemporary experimental art in the heart of Amsterdam for 44 years. Since artists squatted the building in 1979, W139 has remained an activist community. Here, artists have the space to take risks and create new things. W139 responds to current issues with exhibitions, events, and projects, making major social themes accessible. For everyone.
More informationWaag Futurelab
Waag Futurelab has been operating at the intersection of art, science, and technology for 30 years. Through design research, Waag explores the social and cultural impact of new technologies and their application for social innovation. Every month, Waag hosts a variety of workshops and performances where artists, creators, and the public come together to explore and analyze technology. Every Thursday, Waag provides free access to its FabLab with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other machines that are usually only available to large factories. This way, Waag enables everyone to create and co-design an open, fair, and inclusive future.
More information
About us
Culturele Wallen is a collective that unites the cultural gems of Amsterdam’s historic city heart. Through enhanced visibility, collaborative energy, and inventive partnerships, the neighborhood regains its creative identity and artistic soul. Once again, locals are drawn to this vibrant and creative part of the city.