Goudkantoor, Renaissance building in Groningen, Netherlands
The Goudkantoor is a Renaissance building in Groningen featuring red brick walls, stepped gables, and decorative sandstone details on its facade near Grote Markt. The structure now houses a restaurant and displays the Flemish architectural style typical of its period with clearly visible craftmanship.
Built in 1635, the structure initially served as a tax collection office for Groningen province with the Latin inscription Date Caesari quae sunt Caesaris displayed inside. Later it became an official assay office from the early 19th century before transforming into its current restaurant use.
The building displays Groningen's coat of arms and once served as the official assay office where local craftspeople brought gold and silver items for certification. Visitors today experience this heritage while dining in the same spaces where merchants once conducted their business.
The building sits centrally at Waagplein close to Grote Markt and is easily accessible on foot. Its current restaurant use allows visitors to enter the interior and experience the historic setting while dining or having a meal.
The building survived World War II because local firefighters actively protected it from destruction, preserving its original architectural features for future generations. This remarkable act of wartime preservation saved the structure intact through years of conflict in the city.
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