Hofwijck

This 17th-century classicist mansion features a square pavilion-style structure built from brick with three levels under a slate-covered tent roof, surrounded by a protective moat and formal gardens designed according to mathematical proportions.

Built between 1641 and 1642 for politician Constantijn Huygens, the estate was designed by Huygens himself in collaboration with architect Jacob van Campen, serving as a summer retreat and intellectual gathering place during the Dutch Golden Age.

The estate holds significant literary importance as the inspiration for Constantijn Huygens' poem 'Hofwijck' written between 1650 and 1651, and houses collections including scientific instruments belonging to his son Christiaan Huygens, the renowned physicist and astronomer.

The museum operates with guided tours that explore the mansion's architecture and history, while the surrounding gardens and park have been accessible to the public since 1985 and integrated into Voorburg's urban open space network.

A complete replica of Hofwijck has been constructed in Gaoqiao, Shanghai, China, demonstrating the international cultural significance of this Dutch architectural masterpiece and fostering cultural exchange between the Netherlands and China.

Location: Leidschendam-Voorburg

Operator: Huygensmuseum

Part of: Hofwijck

Address: Westeinde 2

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 12:00-17:00

Phone: +31703872311

Website: http://hofwijck.nl

GPS coordinates: 52.06486,4.36262

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:36