Mill Geesina The mill was bought in 1911 by Abraham Schuurman, chairman of the General Dutch Millers’ Union for many years. Until 1999 the mill was owned by the Schuurman family and until the eighties of the last century the mill was used commercially by trial and error. The current name owes the mill earth […]
Fortress on the Ruigenhoeksedijk
Box 1: The New Dutch Water Line The New Dutch Water Line was the main defense line of our country from 1815 to February 1940. This line consisted of a chain of 50 forts, 6 fortified towns and 750 concrete group shelters, 88 military rifle casemates and many military locks. An 85-kilometer-long Waterline ran through […]
Workhouse Gate
The in 1602 constructed renaissance gate gave access to the workhouse founded by Evert van de Poll ‘for the ones who prefer to earn their living through labour than with empty begging’. The workhouse was abolished in the 18th century and rented out for various purposes.
The Little Meat House
Built in 1443 as one of the city’s public slaughter houses. Before 1433 the slaughter house was located next to the current town hall. The butcher’s guild, however, was abolished because its members meddled too much in the city’s politics. Only in 1443 new slaughterhouses were opened, namely here and in the Voorstraat. The Little […]
Sic Semper
Sic Semper In 1775, the Oranjesociëteit Sic Semper (May it always remain) was founded. The building was completely renovated in 1838. In 1890 a complete new building took place to a design in ‘medieval style’ by PJ Houtzagers. The society was dissolved in 1913. After that, the building had many uses until it was converted […]
Kromme Nieuwegracht 80
Sybold. van Ravenstein. This large square house was built in 1686. In 1939, various parts of the interior, including a commissioner’s room, were designed by the famous architect S. van Ravenstein.
Kromme Nieuwegracht 43 (Crooked New Canal)
“De Truttige Tuyl” The oldest part of this house is a remnant of a claustral house of Saint Peter from the late Middle Ages. Shortly after 1728, the house was expanded and renovated to its current form by the Schlosser-Beeldsnijder couple. The couple’s ornate monogram (SBBS) is depicted above the center window. The house, which […]
Tower “The Horse”
Tower “The Horse” Around 1600, Utrecht had an impressive outer city canal with thick defensive walls, towers and strongholds. The striking strongholds of Zonnenburg, Manenburg and Sterrenburg on the south side of the city have been preserved. In addition to the strongholds, defense towers were built in that period, which were named after animals, such […]
Law of Circles
Water as a defense weapon The New Dutch Waterline was a defense line. Its water was the weapon of defense. If the enemy approached, strips of pasture between Muiden and the Biesbosch could be flooded. This made the country difficult for the enemy to pass. The line served from 1815 to about 1940. Nowadays the […]
Pawnshop (Pandhuis)
The Pawnshop Medieval grain storehouse that was renovated and expanded in the 17th century. The current name ‘Pandhuis’ originated when the storehouse started to function as “Bank van Lening” in 1713. This bank served as a source of income for the adjacent ‘Geformeerd Burgerweeshuis’ or formed orphanage. The building was restored in 1989, after which […]