Between Amsterdam and Sloten, the inn the Red Lion stood in the 17th century. Claes Jansz Visscher created a drawing of it in 1609. This rural inn disappeared around 1700 but was rediscovered by archaeologists from the Municipality of Amsterdam in 2021. The finds are displayed in a pop-up exhibition in Sloten from January 23 to February 6, revealing much about life and the inns setup.
The Sloterweg with the inn the Red Lion, drawn by Claes Jansz. Visscher around 1609. The drawing was recently added to the collection Prints and Drawings of the City Archive, Access Number 10097, Inventory Number 3368. | City Archive Amsterdam.
Sloterweg
Travelers through the wet surroundings of Amsterdam utilized the Sloterweg, an important route since the 14th century. The Miracle of Amsterdam in 1345 made the road popular as a pilgrimage route to the Holy City. Numerous inns emerged along this road where travelers could rest and stable their horses.
The hearth was the central point of the inn. | Photo: Monuments and Archaeology.
Red Lion
Inns around Amsterdam were also popular among city dwellers due to lower prices. In 1539, the city council expanded the excise area to Halfway Sloten. A clever entrepreneur opened the inn ‘the Red Lion’ just outside this boundary. Claes Jansz. Visscher depicted the inn in drawings. The inn had several owners and closed around 1700. The name later reappeared at another inn along the Sloterweg.
A die from the sandy floor around the hearth. | Photo: Monuments and Archaeology.
Excavation
Archaeologists discovered that the first buildings here appeared in the 16th century. The inn consisted of two buildings, with the western building being the best preserved. Visitors could relax by the hearth. After the demolition around 1700, the eastern building was rebuilt using reused materials. This illustrates the construction methods of that time.
Another find from the inn: a sundial from around 1625. | Photo: Monuments and Archaeology.
Pop-up expo
The research is complete, and new construction along the Sloterweg is nearly finished. The findings have been documented in a report, and an article will be published in Amstelodamum at the end of March. Visitors can view the finds in a pop-up exhibition in Sloten, with activities on Thursdays including lectures and tours. Everyone is warmly invited!
Heritage of the Week
In the Heritage of the Week section, a special archaeological find or historical site in the city is highlighted each week. Through the website amsterdam.nl/heritage, Open Research Amsterdam, Instagram @monumentenarcheologie, X @erfgoed020 and Facebook Monuments and Archaeology the heritage experts of Monuments and Archaeology share the citys heritage with Amsterdammers and other interested parties. This article was written by Thijs Terhorst.
Banner photo: Archaeologists document the western building of Inn the Red Lion. | Photo: Monuments and Archaeology.