Galgenveld

Belangrijke locatie in de geschiedenis van Amsterdam

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When the people of Amsterdam commited a serious enough crime from 1360 untill 1795, they would be publicly executed at Dam Square and - later - at the Nieuwmarkt (New Market). Their bodies would then be moved to the other side of the IJ, where they would be put on display for everybody to see. This was done at the Galgenveld (Field of Gallows).Believe it or not but the Galgenveld is historically seen as the first public attraction of Amsterdam. People would come from afar to have a look at the often gruesome display. The hanging bodies were left to rot for a long time and were slowly decaying by the weather. After a while when they needed the space for other bodies to hang, the remains would be thrown into the pit.