The Earli Conference is hosted by two universities: The University of Amsterdam and the VU University, this piece is about the University of Amsterdam.

On 8 January 1632 the Atheneum Illustre opened its doors. In 1877 it was elevated to university status and opened its doors again on 15 October and the name became University of Amsterdam. For some seven years the 15th of October was marked as Founder’s day, but in 1884 the commemoration reverted to 8 January.

The Atheneum Illustre started out as a classical teaching establishment in the Agnietenkapel (a chapel from a former nun convent) into a truly academic institution, a modern centre of research and learning with many locations throughout the city. The early days of the Atheneum Illustre nevertheless, were far less illustrious than generally assumed.

Vossius and Barleus were successful professors (some secondary schools in Amsterdam are named after them nowadays), but not all professorial appointments in the first few decades were successful.

Even though there were many setbacks (e.g. wrong professorial appointments, in 1730 only one lecturer left, the difficult period after the Depression and then the Nazi occupation), the university managed to grow into the university it currently is: a university with approximately 28.000 students and more then 5.000 staff members, divided over 7 faculties throughout the city. When you visit Amsterdam, notice the little signs on many buildings showing that the building belongs to the University of Amsterdam. And don’t forget to visit the Agnietenkapel, where it all started.