Foreestenhuis, Religious monument in Hoorn, Netherlands.
The Foreestenhuis is a natural stone building in Hoorn with seven bays across two stories, topped by a cornice decorated with sculptures and family crests. The right section contains a church hall used by the Doopsgezinde Remonstrantse Gemeente Hoorn and features an organ built in 1865.
The building was commissioned in 1724 by Nanning van Foreest, a former mayor of Hoorn who served as a director of the West India Company. Its construction reflected the city's prosperity and merchant influence during the early 1700s.
The interior spaces feature intricate stucco decorations with winged figures holding portrait medallions, while classical imagery adorns the ceilings. These ornamental details reflect the tastes and social standing of those who once occupied the building.
The building is located in central Hoorn and can be viewed from the exterior along the street, while the interior church hall may be accessible depending on events or services. Visiting on weekdays or during community gatherings offers better opportunities to see the space.
The facade appears symmetrical but contains a width difference of about 81 centimeters on the right side due to the arrangement of older buildings behind it. This hidden architectural adjustment reveals how the structure had to adapt to its urban setting.
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