Why has Amsterdam been a destination for immigrants since the 16th century?

Amsterdam has been a destination for immigrants since the 16th century primarily due to its role as a burgeoning center of trade, intellectual freedom, and religious toleration.123

Following the 1585 fall of Antwerp to Spanish forces, the city experienced a massive influx of Protestant refugees who brought their commercial expertise, enriching Amsterdam’s banking and shipbuilding sectors. This period also saw the arrival of Jews fleeing persecution in Portugal, Spain, and parts of Germany and eastern Europe, who sought refuge and economic opportunity.13

The city’s development into a global trading metropolis during the Eighty Years’ War attracted artists, intellectuals, and financiers who were displaced by conflict elsewhere. While the Dutch Reformed Church held official status, the broader Dutch society extended a level of tolerance to various faiths and sects, allowing diverse groups to settle and contribute to the city's growth.143