Hofje van Staats, Historical almshouse complex in Haarlem, Netherlands.
Hofje van Staats is a residential complex with twenty individual dwellings arranged around a peaceful inner courtyard. A clock tower marks the main entrance, and the buildings retain the yellow and black coloring that defined the original layout.
Merchant IJsbrand Staats founded the complex in 1730 as a charitable facility for needy women. The original thirty dwellings were designed by Hendrik de Werff and constructed to become one of Haarlem's notable structures from that era.
The name reflects the Staats family who established the almshouse. Visitors notice how the distinctive yellow and black shutters throughout the complex still honor the founder's family colors today.
The complex is easily accessible on foot and the inner courtyard is visible from the entrance area. Keep in mind this is an active residential community, so visiting should be done respectfully and with awareness of the residents.
Two administrative rooms in the main building have remained closed and unused for over 250 years, creating an unusual time capsule of the original operations. These spaces offer a rare glimpse into how the facility once managed its day-to-day functions.
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