About Visum Mundi
The location's rich history and our plans for the future.
From 1926
Originally intended for formal and festive occasions such as graduation ceremonies and receptions, the Aula was donated to the National Agricultural College by former students on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in 1926. The site between Hotel De Wereld and the Ceres students’ society was purchased. The design also included a library behind the Aula, commissioned by the Government Buildings Agency. In 1935, the U-shaped Aula was completed. The National Agricultural College became the Agricultural University, and is now Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Both the interior and exterior of the Aula have also changed regularly over time. In 2022, WUR’s functions in the Aula were relocated to the campus on the outskirts of the city. The library (better known as ‘Behind the Aula’) had already moved out in 1982, and this building was subsequently used for teaching languages.
Capitulation in May 1945
The Aula played a significant role at the end of the Second World War. On 5 May 1945, Canadian General Charles Foulkes and German General Johannes Blaskowitz signed the ‘Orders on the surrender’ in the adjacent Hotel de Wereld. The following day, work was carried out in the Aula on the detailed technical implementation of the orders and further arrangements. In 1951, the National Liberation Monument was erected on the square in front of the Aula and Hotel de Wereld to commemorate the surrender.
Today
Now that Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has moved to the campus in its entirety, there is a wonderful opportunity to repurpose this historic building for a new cultural use for all residents of Wageningen and beyond. Visum Mundi is part of the overarching project: Het Vrijheidskwartier *The Freedom Quarter*. Through this, we are transforming the area around Bevrijdingsstraat, Hotel de Wereld, De Aula and the current Prinses-Irene-Brigadeplein into a new, attractive place to come together; a landing point where everyone’s visit to Wageningen naturally begins.
In the coming years
During this initial phase, Visum Mundi will serve as a special additional venue for Heerenstraat Theater. As part of the project Het Vrijheidskwartier, Visum Mundi will develop into a multi-screen cinema complex, complete with high-quality catering facilities. A concept that brings together Boutique Cinema, cross-media events and on-screen events. Expect a very wide-ranging cultural programme, from official openings to cinema-on-demand, jazz, classical music, popular science, opera & ballet.
2025
In May 2025, the Signature Room opened: a venue with space for 20 visitors on the ground floor of Visum Mundi. This marks the permanent home of the collaboration between Visum Mundi and Het Vrijheidskwartier – Visum Mundi’s conceptual partner on matters of freedom and the experience of freedom. From Wednesday to Saturday between 11:00 and 17:00, and on Sundays until 14:00, you can watch – free of charge – the screenings of Elements of Freedom and Wageningen World City. These are approximately 15-minute presentations that take you on a journey through the story of Wageningen.
