Vrouwenhuis, Historical women's museum in Zwolle, Netherlands
Vrouwenhuis is a protected heritage building in Zwolle that displays interior spaces spanning three centuries, from around 1680 to 1980. The ground floor rooms preserve furniture, fittings, and personal objects that reflect how residents lived during these periods.
The building was designated in 1742 through Aleida Greve's will as a shelter for single elderly women of the Reformed Church. It maintained this social function for centuries before eventually becoming a cultural institution that preserves its history.
The building displays works by artists like Eva van Marle and young female amateur artists who received training from painter Willem Beurs. These pieces offer insight into women's artistic involvement in the region across different periods.
Visits are only possible for groups of 5 to 15 people by prior appointment. Guided tours are offered in Dutch and help you understand the rooms and their place in the house's story.
Medieval overshoes discovered in 1870 within the building structure are among the rare archaeological finds preserved here. These objects show that the site had been inhabited well before its documented history as a residence.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
