De Moriaan, Rijksmonument house in Westhaven, Gouda, Netherlands.
De Moriaan is a Renaissance-era house on the Westhaven in Gouda featuring an ornately decorated facade with tobacco motifs and other trade symbols carved into its surface. The building stands out for its distinctive tilted upper floors that lean slightly forward, creating a visual profile that distinguishes it from neighboring structures along the canal.
The building originated as a bakery called De Twaelff Halff Maenen before 1605 and later became a grocery store named In de Goecoop. In more recent times it served as a museum showcasing Gouda's ceramic and pipe-making traditions before closing its doors to the public.
The name De Moriaan reflects the building's connection to Gouda's trade in tobacco and spices, and its ornate exterior speaks to the merchant activity that defined this waterfront district. The decorated facade tells the story of commerce that once shaped daily life along the harbor.
The building at Westhaven 29 is easy to spot and located within walking distance of central Gouda. Although it is a protected monument not open for visits, the facade can be viewed clearly from the canal and surrounding streets.
A small garden area behind the building once served as a pharmacy garden growing healing plants for medicinal purposes, representing a practical approach to medicine of that era. This hidden green space is barely visible today, but it tells of a time when such gardens were essential to local healthcare.
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