Bridges is situated at the front of the hotel Sofitel Amsterdam The Grand. Both the location and the building are unique. They beautifully reflect the history of the city of Amsterdam. Along the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam's oldest canal, there used to be two convents.

The Cecilia-convent was founded in 1411, the Catherina-convent was also founded around that time. Together they made up the convent-part of the old city. For a long time the building served as city hall. Ed van Thijn was the last major to rule the city of Amsterdam from this building. Without a doubt the most memorable moment from that time is the marital ceremony between Princess Beatrix and Claus von Amsberg which was presided over by mayor Gijs van Hall on the 12th of March 1966 in the Council Hall.

Up until 1987 the space that is now known as Bridges housed the canteen for the personnel of city hall. Here, in 1949, the world-renowned COBRA-artist Karel Appel created the famous painting 'Questioning Children'. You can still admire this piece of art at the entrance of Bridges (on your left).

Bridges' interior - after a design by the French interior decorator/architect Sybille de Margerie - is inspired by the forms and the coloration used in Appel's mural.