Title describes the thing. Pictures show the front and back of the same object. I saw this one (and many others alike) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in case location is relevant. I do not know whether there are others alike around the country.

All the ones I have seen are always wooden and very similar if not identical to this one. They are about 1,70m or so in height, look quite sterdy. My assumption is they are some kind of bee shelter, but I have no clue, it’s just an assumption.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ANSWERS : 

1. Well-intentioned, poorly executed. Over time, the end wood develops cracks (you can see them already) allowing moisture to enter, which leads to mold. The holes should be drilled in the side of the wood. Also those bamboo sticks are packed too tightly, but at least that doesn’t cause harm, it’s just not that attractive for insects in this form.
2. We were gifted something like this and I’ve never seen a bug in or around it. They’ve sure as hell found our mailbox and shed though.
3. They’re mostly for carpenter bees. If you don’t have a lot of carpenter bees around chewing up your house, you probably won’t find much living in this aside from spiders and maybe mud daubers depending on where you live.
4. Carpenter bees chew and spit out wood for their homes which is why no wood is safe; even treated wood. Mason bees use previously made (smaller) holes. The holes in this bee hotel are too small for mason bee species in N America, but maybe there are smaller species in the Netherland
5. I’ve had bees living in boxes like this in Switzerland.Sadly, we had a crazy storm one summer that got super cold for like 3 days and I think that caused them all to die :(It was sheltered from the wind and rain but they never came out of their little holes.I choose to believe they decided to go out the back.

   I loved watching the bees bring little bits of material to the whole to seal it up though. Ah my heart.

   Must leave the city and move to the country side so I can have many bees.

6. If you drill holes in wood, most often those holes will have wood fibers sticking out that will damage the wings. Drilling holes in wood is NOT recommended at all. Using bamboo tubes is much softer for the wings
7. I actually have several, they are for Mason bees. And they work perfectly well. I use my own bamboo to make them and pack them in super tight. Mason bees are quite small and love tight spaces. They fill it up completely every spring.
8. As bee hotels go this isn’t too bad, but the pine cones are a waste of space, the brick’s holes are too large and look like the edges might be too rough. The bamboo pieces are actually quite nice if they’re as cleanly cut as they appear. Some Osmia will love them.
   The wood is sad. Smooth holes, different sizes, awesome… wrong direction. Those cracks radiating out tell the bee that this is not a safe nesting spot, happens when you drill holes parallel to the wood fibers. Perpendicular to the fiber is more attractive.
   Now a hardware cloth in front of it so the birds can’t get to the nests and it’s pretty good.Solitary bees are peculiar when it comes to their nesting sites. It’s not difficult to provide good nests, but they need to be juuuuust right. The rarest bees only produce one generation a year. They have to be picky to ensure there will be more next year.
9. We’ve got a small one at the back of our house, once the weather starts warming up every single little bamboo hole is filled up with a bee, they’re constantly flying around and landing and going inside them haha, it’s cool to watch!
10. sawn logs or wooden blocks with pre-drilled holes – solitary bees, such as mason bees and leaf-cutter beesbamboo or reed stems – solitary bees, such as mason bees and leaf-cutter bees; wasps, such as thread-waist waspsdry leaves – centipedes, beetles, harvestmensticks – ladybird beetles

    strips of bark – beetles, woodlice, centipedes, millipedes, spiders

11. When I was a kid we used similar wood blocks for Mason Bees. They are similar to hunny bees but all black and they don’t have a stinger. They’re really good pollinators and we would keep lots of things like in your picture throughout our fruit orchard and gardens.
12. These are also pretty popular here in Sweden. They are called “insect hotels” and are said to attract a bunch of different insects and help improve bio diversity. Since this is Sweden, out version have a more robut roof for winter conditions up here..
13. Bug hotel. Usually aimed at native solitary bees but are often poorly designed for them and not properly maintained. Other bugs step in and use them though.
14. Mason bees use them. They reproduce and plug up the ends so they are safe over the cold months. In spring the new bees come out and pollinate gardens. You can even buy replacement tubes with the bees in there to get more pollinators for your garden.
15. Seen one of these with a spider nest in it, how likely are they to attract predators like spiders that might actually end up killing the bees living there? Or do spiders and bees get along more or less well?
16. Native bee habitat. For leaf cutter bees and mason bees. Even some solitary wasps live in these.
17. I have a smaller one. It fell behind our firewood crib and is sitting on the floor. It has what seems to be a very healthy honey bee population coming and going.
18. We have these in my town in the Netherlands too. They usually have a plaque or something telling about what it is and how it helps the environment and bio-diversity, etc
19. It’s better for the insects to fly into one of those than my ear holes.
20. I’m guessing here but I THINK they might be homes for mason beez. They are a small bee that cant sting you and resemble house flys. They are one of if not the only bee native to North America and don’t form hives like other beez do but at the end of summer seal themselves in those little tubes until spring where they emerge from again.

Discovering a wooden box nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Amsterdam is akin to stumbling upon a hidden treasure in a storybook setting. These enigmatic boxes, often found scattered throughout parks and green areas, hold within them a whimsical charm that captivates the imagination of passersby.

Crafted from sturdy wood, weathered by the elements and adorned with a rustic allure, each box tells a story of its own. Their origins shrouded in mystery, they evoke a sense of intrigue and wonder, prompting curious minds to ponder their purpose and significance.

Some speculate that these boxes serve as repositories for communal treasures, inviting visitors to contribute tokens of their affection or snippets of inspiration. Others suggest they may harbor secrets, hidden messages waiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers who dare to peer inside.

Yet, regardless of their intended function, these wooden boxes have woven themselves into the fabric of Amsterdam’s landscape, becoming cherished landmarks that add a touch of magic to the urban environment. As they stand quietly amidst the bustling cityscape, they beckon to those who pause to admire their quaint beauty, inviting them to pause, reflect, and perhaps leave a piece of themselves behind.

In the heart of Amsterdam, where history and modernity intertwine, the wooden boxes serve as silent witnesses to the passage of time, guardians of a bygone era and symbols of the city’s enduring charm. And as each day dawns anew, they continue to inspire wonder and curiosity in all who encounter them, forever weaving their enchanting tales into the fabric of Amsterdam’s rich tapestry.