Hofjes, or little courtyards, are all around the Netherlands. Here, in Amsterdam, there are over 30 with the majority of them situated in the Jordaan area of the city. Houses were originally built around the courtyards hundreds of years ago for religious or single women, the poor and the elderly. Starting in the Golden Age of the 1600s, wealthy merchants funded these homes with a sense of charity, but also because getting the poor, sick and homeless off the streets made for a safer city and a safe city was better for business. The biggest and most well-known hidden courtyard in the city, is the Begijnhof, off the Spui. This hof started out as one of the 20 or so original monasteries, which were designed with a central courtyard. In 1578 after Amsterdam became Protestant, most Catholic churches, monasteries and Catholic property were seized by the government. But the women who lived in the Begijnhof owned the property themselves, not the Catholic Church. Therefore they were allowed to remain. Other monasteries were turned into hospitals, asylums and orphanages. The hofjes built by the wealthy were modeled after the earlier monasteries.Most hofjes are open to the publlc, during normal daytime hours. The houses are still occupied, usually by women, the elderly or students. The Jordaan is a quiet, artsy neighborhood and it’s perfect just to wander and even get lost in. And finding a few hofjes along the way is an added surprise, as most are hidden behind walls or doors. Inside, they are quaint and pretty and some are grand with fountains and chapels. You can also get a map and explore these on your own. But please, be respectful and quiet as these are people’s homes.
5 Hofjes in the Jordaan to Discover:
Karthuizerhof- (Karthuizersstraat 87-171)- This is the biggest hofje in the Jordaan. Built by Daniel Stalpaert, who co-designed the Royal Palace with Jacob van Campen, it sits on the site of a former Carthusian monastery. It was built for elderly, unmarried women and women with children. Today it is part of the Ymere housing corporation with the purpose of providing social housing to the general public.
Raepenhofje and Bossche Hofje- (Palmgracht 20-38)- Originally two smaller hofjes, they are now combined into one, bigger courtyard. Female students currently reside here. The place is really a space of calm, separated from the busy city outside. Find the red door and step inside…..
Hofje de Zeven Keurvorsten- (Tuinstraat 199-225) This courtyard was built in 1645 by gun-powder producer, Cornelius Pronk. It holds a secret inside its walls…. a small chapel built in 1862.
Claes Claesz Hofje-(Egelantiersstraat 18-54)- Claes Claesz was a textile merchant who built a series of houses for women in the 1600s. What’s unique is that it is a series of 3 to 4 different small courtyards. It now houses artists and students. The entrance is marked with a small, picket-fence looking structure above the door.
Hofje van Brienen- (Prinsengracht 89-133)- The idea to build housing for elderly Catholics came to Baron van Brienen when he was locked away in a strong house. There he vowed that if he ever got out, he would build such housing. Well, the Baron did get released and he kept his word and built the houses and courtyard for 6 older Catholic couples and six men. Beautifully landscaped and the building with the clock housed the Regent of the foundation and a small chapel. The hofje is now owned by a Catholic organization who provides low-income housing.
On some of my tour routes, we take a peek inside one of these courtyards. To book a tour, please do so at https://www.AmsterdamAndYou.com
To see our video about these Hidden Hofjes of the Jordaan, please visit our Amsterdam Calling Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/5d4owwEiX-0?si=ar6Je56SmVtfGl0v
To find them on your own, this site (in Dutch) will give you the addresses of many of them:
http://www.hofjesinamsterdam.nl
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