Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: provincie Utrecht

A “hofje” is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. The Netherlands has several “hofjes”. The Hofje van Aerden (or officially Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden ) was established at the end of the 18th century by Maria Ponderus, who wanted to provide free housing for impoverished female relatives from her or her husband's family. The stipulation was that these women had to prove their familial connection and adhere to strict behavioral and religious guidelines: remaining unmarried, of impeccable conduct, and of Protestant faith. Maria's vision was so profound that she ensured its continuation through a foundation established in her will, leading to the opening of the hofje on November 1, 1773. The Hofje van Aerden was designed to house eleven women, but it expanded over the years. By the late 19th century, it could accommodate up to fifteen women. Today, the criteria for residency have evolved, and it now serves as a residence for ten single women. The complex is arranged around a central courtyard, nearly square in shape, measuring approximately 40 by 32 meters. It was constructed on the site of the former Leerdam Castle, which was destroyed during the Eighty Years' War.

Fort Honswijk , originally called Fort Willem II, is one of the most impressive forts of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (New Dutch Waterline: a line of defensive works using water throughout the western part of Holland) which is part of this 200-kilometre long UNESCO World heritage Site. Construction of the tower fortress along the river Lek began in 1841. The tower had three floors with an open artillery battery on the roof. The fort was completed in 1848. In the 1880s, the fort was extensively modified and the top floor was demolished. Fort Honswijk was used during the mobilisation in World War I. In 1935, the fort was briefly used as a concentration camp. It was the first concentration camp in the Netherlands. Dutch soldiers were based there during the 1939/1940 mobilisation. Until 2012, the fort was used by the Ministry of Defence. In September 2016, the municipality of Houten became the owner of the fort and it was restored.

Oudewater originated around 1100 in a meander bend where the Lange Linschoten rivulet meets the Hollandse IJssel river. The origin of the name Oudewater is not known. Most likely, it is a corruption of oude (uiter)waarden (old water-meadows). It became city rights in 1265. given by the bishop of Utrecht. Oudewater suffered immensely during the Eighty-years war in the hands of the Spanish due to its recognition of William van Oranje as their rightful governor. The siege resulted in the murder of nearly the entire town’s population and the destruction of most of the medieval city. After that war - during the 16th and 17th century -Oudewater rebuilt itself and prospered. Cheese and ropes were a major industry, which cultivated hemp to create high-quality ropes used for the boats sailing to Indonesia and beyond. Cheese has remained a major industry to this day, which is why the Waag (Weigh House) in Oudewater was built at the end of the 15th century. Oudewater is well known for its Heksenwaag (Witches' scales). This Weighing house, an official town building, became famous at the height of the European witch trials of the 16th century because people accused of witchcraft were offered a fair chance to prove their innocence as opposed to many other places where the scales were rigged. Today De Waag - with a small museum - is the main attraction of Oudewater, next to other attractive monumental buildings in its historic center.

As early as the 17th century, there was a wooden drawbridge across the Vecht. Later, it was replaced by an iron one. This iron bridge was blown up by the Germans at the beginning of May 1945, just before the end of World War II. In 1949, a new bridge was opened: a second-hand double drawbridge dating from 1888, which was transported in sections over water from Weesperkarspel to Vreeland. The Vreeland barrel factory Van Leer financed a large part of the costs. That's why the bridge was named the Van Leerbrug . In 1986, the bridge was replaced by the current bridge, which retained its name.

Amersfoort is an old medieval city. Around 1300 a first city wall was constructed. When the city grew strongly in the 14th century, more land was needed and between 1380 and 1450 a wider, second city wall and city canals were built. In particular, the Langegracht (see PiP2 and 3) and the Havik (main picture and PiP1) cross the city centre. Around the Havik, the medieval harbour used to be located. The name Havik can therefore be translated as Havenwijk (Harbour area). The oldest mention is from 1390. Nowadays, it is a neighbourhood with beautiful façades and monuments. One of them is the Havikbrug , which dates from the year 1642. The bridge is popularly called Heksenbrug (Witches’Bridge). The bridge owes its name to a story that tells that at this spot, women suspected of witchcraft had to proof if they were a witch or not.

The Koppelpoort is a medieval gate - part of the second city wall of Amersfoort - which was built between 1380 and 1425. It combines a land and water-gate, which is unique in the Netherlands. The gate was attacked in 1427 during the siege of the city, but was repelled. The name Koppelpoort refers to an area outside the gate, which was called De Koppel . Travellers could be allowed or refused to enter through this combined gate, even if they were travelling over water. In addition, the water levels in the inner city could be regulated with it. In the past, the city gate had to be opened and closed daily to protect the city. The gate could be set in motion by means of a treadmill. This task was performed by twelve prisoners, who were called the raddraaiers (wheel turners). The men had to walk in a large wooden wheel at the same pace to get the gate moving. It was not a harmless job; when one man got out of step, he ran the risk of falling and dragging the rest of the wheel turners. In the front of the gate a wooden extension is visible, the so-called mezenkouw (tit cage). From this cage, attackers could be harassed with hot oil or malt when they came too close to the water gate. The Koppelpoort did get its current appearance during the restoration by well known Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers in 1885 and 1886. The latest restoration was completed in 1996. Nowadays the Koppelpoort is one of the eye catchers of Amersfoort.

Spakenburg (formally Bunschoten-Spakenburg since its fusion with Bunschoten) was a real fishing village located at the borders of the IJsselmeer (former Zuiderzee). The heart of the village still is its harbour with an active wharf and many heritage ‘botters’ (authentic fishing boats), although there is no longer commercial fishing done from this area. These smacks are now used for sailing trips. Spakenburg is one of he few villages in the Netherlands where mostly elderly women still wear traditional costumes.

Jacob de Graeff, mayor of Amsterdam, built around 1650 a countryhouse along a road - ‘Zoesdijc’ - between the villages of Baarn and Soest, which was called ‘Hofstede aen Zoestdijck’. Stadholder William III bought the manor in 1674 and used it as a hunting lodge. Many members of the family of Orange-Nassau lived in ‘Soestdijk Palace’ till 1795 during the French invasion, when it was seized as a spoil of war. The building then was used by French soldiers. In 1815 the Prince of Orange, later King Willem II, was presented ‘Soestdijk Palace’, in recognition of his services at the Battle of Waterloo. The palace was expanded by adding two wings, the northern or ‘Baarn-wing’ and the southern or ‘Soest-wing’. Many years the palace was only used as summer home by members of the Dutch royal family. After the investiture of Queen Wilhelmina ‘Soestdijk Palace’ was regularly used again. Her mother, Queen Emma, used the palace as a summer home until her death in 1934. After her death the palace was renovated so that Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard could make it their home after their marriage in 1937. ‘Soestdijk Palace’ became in 1948 their official residence until both of their deaths in 2004. Pending a decision about its future use, ‘Soestdijk Palace’ is a kind of a museum and it is possible to visit the building and the surrounding gardens.