Amsterdam boasts numerous converted spaces that have radically changed their purposes. A monumental century-old building with the inscription “Pathologisch Anatomisch Laboratorium” on the facade is one of the best examples, beloved by the locals. Once a part of a huge hospital named the Wilhemina Gasthuis, the building stopped being used for performing autopsies and conducting research on patients’ tissue samples in 1983 and was later turned into a cultural center. Now, it houses a cinema known for its screenings of modern classics, documentaries, and unconventional artworks by independent filmmakers.
Built in the recognizable architectural style of the Amsterdam School, the building is decorated with sculptures by Hildo Krop, known as the city sculptor of Amsterdam. It is worth a visit, even if just to admire it from the outside. However, it is always wise to check the cinema’s agenda or simply drop by to enjoy a freshly made pizza at the cinema’s bar, Strangelove, while hanging out with local cinephiles.
