Theatre of Van Campen

It replaced the Duytsche Academy of Samuel Coster previously on the site, originally set up to broaden access to science by putting on lectures in the national vernacular rather than Latin (although other activities also took place, such as painting competitions).

These societies developed in the early 17th century and, through their study of poetic texts, marked the beginnings of modern theatre in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam was in the midst of her Golden Age, and gradually the possibility a permanent theater building began to be debated.

This theatre was due to be opened on 26 December 1637 with Gijsbrecht van Aemstel, a play specially written for the occasion by Vondel.

The theatre temporarily closed at the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Dutch War and the new building, Schouwburg van Vingboons [nl] - twice as large as the old one and adapted to the requirements of that time - finally opened May 26, 1665.