Huis met de Kabouters, Gothic Revival house in De Pijp, Netherlands
The Huis met de Kabouters is a Gothic Revival house in Amsterdam featuring an ornate wooden facade with limestone blocks and two distinctive green gnome sculptures wearing red hats. The building is divided into twelve separate apartments, comprising both rental units and owner-occupied residences.
The building was designed in 1884 by architect Anthonius Cornelis Boerma as part of early urban development along Ceintuurbaan near the Amsteldijk river. Its construction reflected the city's expansion beyond its medieval boundaries during the 19th century.
The two green gnome sculptures on the facade are the building's most recognizable feature and possibly reference the original owner's surname Van Ballegooijen. They show how creatively homeowners personalized their properties with distinctive decorative figures.
The building is located at Ceintuurbaan 251-255 and can be viewed from the street as it is a protected historic monument. The elaborate facade details are best appreciated when you take time to look closely at the carved elements and sculptures.
The building originally featured eagle sculptures that were removed by firefighters in the 1970s due to safety concerns. This made the green gnome figures the sole remaining large decorative sculptures on the facade.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
