Huis Zoudenbalch, Gothic residential monument in Utrecht, Netherlands.
Huis Zoudenbalch is a Gothic residential house in Utrecht with a wide stone facade that displays medieval design elements such as trefoil motifs, pointed arches, and prominent crenellations. Behind its unified exterior, the building actually encompasses several connected houses.
The house was built in 1467 by Evert Zoudenbalch, a canon treasurer of the Dom cathedral. After severe fire damage in the 17th century, the building underwent comprehensive restoration work in 1905.
The Zoudenbalch family was influential in medieval Utrecht's government circles and left their mark through multiple properties across the city. This residence shows how wealthy families of that era designed their homes to reflect their social standing.
The building sits at Donkerstraat 17, roughly 8 minutes on foot from Utrecht Central Station. It is centrally located and easy to reach by walking, though it now functions as residential apartments.
The building has served multiple purposes over the centuries, functioning as an orphanage and later a technical school from the 17th century onward. This varied history of use shows how a private residence could adapt to meet the city's changing needs.
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