The Rattler - Free Audio Guide

De Ratelaar is a bronze sculpture located in Amsterdam Oud-West, created by artist Rob Cerneüs in 2007. This artwork serves as a tribute to the garbage collectors of Amsterdam, marking 130 years of municipal cleaning from 1877 to 2007. The statue commemorates the role of the ratelaar, who used a wooden ratchet to signal the arrival of waste collection services. Situated at Kwakersplein, the site once housed the headquarters of the city’s sanitation department. While visiting, you can appreciate the historical significance of sanitation in Amsterdam, as well as the changing landscape of urban living. The sculpture is free to visit year-round, and the area is generally accessible.