Athenaeum Illustre of Amsterdam

Athenaeum Illustre, or Amsterdamse Atheneum, was a city-sponsored 'illustrious school' founded after the beeldenstorm in the old Agnieten chapel on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal 231 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Famous scientists such as Caspar Barlaeus, Gerardus Vossius, Martinus Hortensius, Alexander de Bie, and Petrus Camper taught here.

[1] It is known that rabbi Menasseh ben Israel, who promoted dialogue with Christians and helped organize debates at the Atheneum.

[4] Though it is considered the predecessor to the University of Amsterdam, it was not possible to earn a degree there and it wasn't lawfully recognized for diplomas until 1815.

This situation remained in place until 1961, when the financial responsibility for the school reverted to the national ministry of education.

The Baroque gate of the Agnietenkapel , which was originally made in 1571, was moved here in 1631, and today has an iron gate attached that spells out "Athenaeum Illustre 1632-1921"
Detail of Cornelis Anthonisz' 1544 woodcut of Amsterdam, showing the "Agnieten" with the chapel.