As with the Beurs van Berlage, the key materials are brick and natural stone. There is no superfluous decoration. The inspiration is from Renaissance Italy and the building is designed with deep social commitment and thoughtful alignment of design with function.
De Burcht was built in 1898-1900 for the Dutch Diamond Workers Trade Union - one of the first trade Unions in The Netherlands. The founder of the Diamantbewerkers-bond was Henri Polak, a Jewish Social Democrat politician, the son of a diamond cutter. Unlike many other countries, the Dutch Trade Union Movement advanced its cause without conflict, always aiming to improve working conditions via mutual understanding and compromise. Polak and Berlage worked together to build a citadel to the workers' movement.
So, from the outside we see a square tower, battlements and an impressive staircase leading up to an arched doorway. The windows are neatly grouped in threes. The tower features a round window with a lamp in the shape of a diamond, and the Union's ANDB logo (designed by Berlage) sits proudly over the entrance.
Go through the front door and the interior is breathtaking.The hall and stairway are resolutely cheerful in shades of yellow and pale blue brick, complemented by elegant stone masonry. As with the Beurs, all the bricks are beautifully glazed and their arrangement is skillful (the yellow gets lighter the further up the building you go). Looking up there is a huge 12 metre long lamp hanging from the ceiling right down three floors.
Across from the main entrance is a magnificent stained glass doorway depicting the toils of the diamond worker.
The main room on the ground floor is the Council Assembly Room. In addition to the brickwork (red and green this time), this room is remarkable for the Art Nouveau style paintings by Richard Roland Holst, a follower of William Morris. These paintings are inspirational, urging the worker on in a fight against misery, oppression and corruption. Solidarity, steadfastness, trust and sacrifice are shown leading to hope and enthusiasm. Just as in the Beurs, there are images depicting progress from yesterday to today and forward onto tomorrow, and there is a definite message promoting equality for women.
Climbing up to the second and third floors, the views of the staircase get better and better, framed on four sides by the balustrades and elegant arches. There is something of Escher in this staircase!
On the second floor is a Board Room, again decorated by Roland Holst. the paintings symbolise the healthy balance of hard work, well-earned relaxation and refreshing sleep. The furniture and lamps are designed by Berlage.
On the top floor, the stairwell is decorated by wall paintings - five medallions: mindfulness, liberality, unity, steadfastness and (in the centre) the ANDB monogram.
Overall, De Burcht gives a great sense of inspiration: a feeling of everyone working together for a common cause. Indeed the ANDB was highly effective, achieving a minimum wage for diamond workers, insurance in case of sickness, invalidity and death, an 8-hour working day and one week's paid vacation per year. Many diamond workers were introduced to politics via the ANDB and joined the Social Democratic Labour Party. Henri Polak also strove to educate the workers, providing a library in the union building, and organising excursions to exhibitions, concerts and plays.
Sadly, Polak, despite his importance in the Union movement and in his industry, was persecuted by the Nazis because he was Jewish. He died of a lung infection before he could be transported to a concentration camp, but his wife was transported and died in Westerbork.
From the 1920s onwards, Amsterdam began to lose its leading position in the world diamond trade. Antwerp became the centre of the diamond trading industry. The ANDB fell into a gradual decline.
Since 1991, The Burcht became the home to the Trades Union Museum, but can also be hired for conferences and meetings. It is also an official wedding location (just think of the photo opportunities!) Guided tours are available, but only once a month on either a Saturday or Sunday. Price 7.50 euros. A reservation is necessary - checkout the website: www.deburcht.nl.
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