Het Houten Huys, Wooden medieval house in Begijnhof, Netherlands.
Het Houten Huys is a medieval residential building in Amsterdam, featuring Gothic timber framing on stone bases with wooden gable ends at front and rear. The structure retains its original construction and stands out for its wooden framework compared to most other city buildings.
The house was built in 1528 and ranks among only two remaining wooden-facade buildings in Amsterdam following the city's ban on wooden constructions. This prohibition was a response to the fire risks that wooden structures posed in the densely populated city.
The house holds a painted panel from its construction period showing the Virgin Mary and the Unicorn, reflecting religious artistry of the 16th century. Such sacred images were typical for homes of that era and show how faith shaped daily life in these rooms.
The house is located at Begijnhof 34 in central Amsterdam and can be viewed while exploring the surrounding courtyard. Access is straightforward on foot, and the courtyard provides room to look around in a quieter setting.
For centuries this house has been occupied exclusively by single women, starting with the beguines religious community and continuing this tradition to the present day. This consistent use for the same purpose over such a long period is remarkable and shapes the building's story deeply.
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