Sarphatipark: a place of greenery and relaxation

Visit Sarphatipark once served as a private residence.

Named after Jewish physician and philanthropist Samuel Sarphati (1813-1866), his 19th-century monument dominates the park.

This small rectangle of greenery in the middle of the trendy De Pijp is one of the most beautiful in Amsterdam.

Today, I'm going to tell you all about this place and its history!

The history of Sarphatipark

In the 1860s, Amsterdam's chief architect, JG van Niftrik, had ambitious plans for the city's development. He then believed that the city center would move to the southwest and that the main station must have been exactly where Sarphatipark is today.

The whole area around had no sign of urbanization, it was a rather damp space full of windmills and small country estates.

When these major projects failed, the same architect drew up the first plans for the future park, in the style of a free English landscape park.

Its name was to be Prins Hendrikpark. In 1870, due to the collection of signatures from Amsterdam residents, the park was named after Dr. Sarphati.

A project with little public support

As houses sprang up around the park, opposition to it grew.

Much lower than the rest of the neighborhood, the park has been accused of destroying a groundwater flow in the area by pumping water into its lake, causing construction defects in the surrounding homes.

However, the park survived, and a special pump was installed to regulate the groundwater level. Parts of the park were raised in 1908 and have been ever since, the Sarphatipark has served its neighborhood well.

A remarkable entry into the 20th century

During the Second World War, the bust of S. Sarphati was removed from the monument, due to the doctor's origins.

The park was then renamed in honor of the Dutch philosopher Gerardus Bolland (1854-1922), a figure under the influence of the German philosopher Hegel.

Only 12 days after the liberation of Amsterdam, on May 18, 1945, these changes were reversed.

In 1972, a few corrections were made to the park, and in 2004, during a major renovation, the park was redeveloped:

A redesigned lake
Two of its three small bridges have been renovated
Modern gymnasium and playground facilities join the complex

Sarphatipark today

Although it may seem empty in some parts, due to the loss of large trees to harsh winters and disease, it remains one of the city's most beautiful parks.

Many people come here with their dogs, the park remains very quiet, the relaxed atmosphere and very clean premises.

The Dr Sarphati monument (from 1886, designed by JRKruyff) is an attraction in its own right. It symbolizes the 19ᵉ century in the Netherlands.

How do I get there?

To get there, you have several options. You can visit us on site:

On foot, the park is just 20 minutes from the Rijksmuseum
Visit tramway by taking lines 3 and 25

If you're looking for a quiet spot on your Amsterdam vacation, I recommend Sarphatipark. Here, you can stroll and take advantage of a sunny day to relax in the peace and quiet of this park.

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