Beurspassage, Amsterdam

Beurspassage is a covered walkway linking the Damrak with the Nieuwendijk. Its signature artwork is Amsterdamse Oersoep, created by artist Arno Coenen to make the passage feel like a walk beneath an Amsterdam canal. Look at the bicycle-part chandeliers and the stained-glass wall lamps: their images include clogs, tulips, fries and herring, all drawn from familiar Amsterdam associations.

A glass-mosaic ceiling continues the underwater idea, while glazed wall tiles carry gilded motifs. The passage has existed in changing forms for centuries. An earlier alley was roofed in 1893, and the name Beurspassage followed in 1905, after Berlage’s stock exchange across the Damrak.

The modern passage was rebuilt during the renewal of the surrounding building, with its former low, dark form opened back to double height. Much of the finish was made specially and by hand, including the terrazzo floor.