Spui
The Spui is the 'cultural books square of the Netherlands', with a high-quality weekly book market and a wide variety of bookstores on or near the square, including two shops dedicated to English-language literature (the American Book Center and Waterstone's).
Another famous shop at the Spui is the Athenaeum bookshop that is specialised in books on Amsterdam history. You can also find here a lot of cultural travel guides, dissertations on Amsterdam and restaurant guides. Nextdoor is the Athenaeum Newscentre offering foreign and local newspapers and magazines plus a selection of travel guides and books on design, jazz and pop music.
The book market is held every Friday. There is also a weekly art market on the Spui, every Sunday.
A small statue, "Het Lieverdje" ("The Little Darling"), stands on the square. The statue represents the youth of Amsterdam, always playing pranks yet with a heart of gold.
The Spui provides entry to the Begijnhof, an enclosed courtyard dating from the early 14th century.
Other notable buildings at the Spui are:
- the Maagdenhuis (the administrative centre of the University of Amsterdam dating back to 1780)
- Arti et Amicitiae (1841), an artists' society and art gallery at the corner of Rokin and Spui
- Gebouw Helios (1895-96) at Spui 15-19, in Art Nouveau style, that nowadays houses a Japanese restaurant (called Tokyo).
- The Oude Lutherse Kerk (1632-1633), the Old Lutheran Church, across the Singel canal. On Sundays the church is still used for services by the Evangelical Lutheran Community in Amsterdam; on other days it is used as an aula by the University of Amsterdam (UvA).
How to get there?
The Spui square is located very centrally. You can easily go here on foot from the Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein or Dam Square. Tram lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 14, 16, 24 and 25 stop at or near the Spui.
Picturesque Spui Square with the inconspicuous entrance door to the Begijnhof
nearby Attractions
Allard Pierson MuseumAmsterdam Hist. Museum
Art Market
Begijnhof enclosed courtyard from the 14th century
Rederij Kooij canal cruise
Flower Market
Kalverstraat
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nearby Lunch places
nearby Restaurants