Beursplein

Beursplein is a public square in central Amsterdam, between Damrak and Rokin, surrounded by historic buildings and busy shopping streets. The northern side is marked by the brick Beurs van Berlage, designed by Hendrik Petrus Berlage. De Bijenkorf stands along the southern side, while Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, and Oude Kerk lie nearby.

The square occupies ground reclaimed from the Amstel during Amsterdam’s expansion in the 1880s. Construction of the Beurs van Berlage began in 1898, and the building opened in 1903 for four separate exchanges. Financial activity later moved through Beursplein 5, while the square continued to support shopping, tram connections, demonstrations, art markets, music, and King’s Day celebrations. Two fountains and six lampposts designed by Berlage were installed in 1930, and fifteen trees now grow above an underground bicycle facility.

Two bronze figures make the financial history especially visible: a bull and a bear installed in 1998. The bull represents rising markets, while the bear represents falling markets. Eight trees of heaven stand on the square, with seven elms lining Damrak.