Nederland - Haarlem, Hofje In den Groenen Tuyn

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.