Claes Claesz Anslo courtyard, inner court in the Jordaan in Amsterdam

The Claes Claesz. courtyard is a concatenation of two former courtyards, added in the twentieth century newly acquired interior spaces. The basis is the Anslo's courtyard, which was founded by the wealthy clothier Claes Claesz. and his wife Griet Jans through their on March 30, 1616 made-will. A total of five houses were boarded up on the estate, which was accessible via a corridor. Two of the five were rented. By two women to lay a room there were still a dozen women a place. According to the foundation act was to place the manslui not prohibited, but that soon gave problems so it was abolished. The residents were destitute with a preference for Mennonites from Waterland municipality.

In 1632 Claes Claesz. died and in 1638 his widow. The five heirs had to leave the court unharmed and undivided and also take over the management itself. That remains intact for generations, even though the name Anslo disappears from the list of regents.

The name Anslo only appears in 1626 under a will. There has been much speculation about this self-chosen name, which is the same as the former name for the city of Oslo. By purchases in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the court was constantly expanded and reached the Egelantiersstraat to the Tuinstraat (Garden Street). The entrance was still a passage from the First Egelantiersdwarsstraat. The first houses were rebuilt in 1834. The management of the court was fine, because there was never a lack of capital. Yet maintenance was more expensive and eternal moisture played tricks on the inhabitants and even the living standards of the late nineteenth century, the house had become less appropriate. Therefore, the Board decided to clear the court. After 1945 it was no longer inhabited.

At the initiative of foundation Diogenes the courtyard breathed new life around 1969 under the new name Claes Claesz. courtyard.