Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: hofje

A “hofje” is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. Dordrecht has several “hofjes”. Arend Maartenshof was founded in 1625 by Arend Maartenszoon in an attempt to shake off his bad reputation in the city. The entrance is through a lavishly decorated renaissance gate. Atround a courtyard with centuries old trees and a well are 38 houses built, which were destined for poverty-stricken women and widows of soldiers. Since the 1980s, admission rules for the cottages have been relaxed. But two rules of the old founder stand: residents must be of impeccable conduct and they must lovingly care for the living environment. The municipality of Dordrecht bought the Arend Maartenshof at the end of the 20th century and carried out a complete renovation.

Delft is one of the cities in the Netherlands that has a number of so called hofjes . A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. Characteristically, almost all are built around an inner garden. The Klaeuwshofje is named after the brewery “In De Claeuw”. It was founded in 1605 by the Uyttenhage van Ruyven couple. Often, hofjes are founded as inheritance of his or her founder, which is not the case with The Klaeuwshofje . In fact, it was built when the couple was still alive. The Klaeuwshofje is one of the more hidden courtyards in Delft. The houses were intended for unmarried or widowed Catholic women. After a renovation, nowadays the inhabitants have double the amount of space; an improvement over the original sizes of the houses.

Haarlem is one of the cities in the Netherlands that has a number of so called hofjes : a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. Hofje In den Groenen Tuyn is one of the more than twenty remaining hofjes in the city. The plaque above the current residents' entrance depicts a flowering garden. The plaque belongs to the house "Den Groenen Thuijn", where the original courtyard was founded in 1616. In this house, with a beautiful courtyard, 20 small houses were built in the main building and around the garden. In 1885, the courtyard was rebuilt; the number of houses was reduced from 20 to 18. A new stately entrance was also built, for which the last old gothic building in Haarlem was demolished. In 1987, the hofje was restored for the last time. On its 400th anniversary in 2016, a pump was placed in the green garden. Hofje In den Groenen Tuyn is open to the public on weekdays between 10 and 12 am.

The ‘Arend Maartenszhof’ is (for me) the most beautiful almshouses in Dordrecht. It was founded in 1625 by Arend Maartenszoon - a wealthy inhabitant of the city - for poor women and widows of soldiers who died for their country. Thirty-eight cottages surround a courtyard with lots of flowers, ancient trees and a water well (see PiP) and are nowadays housing both men and women.