Proosdij, Deventer

The Proosdij is a medieval stone structure that rises three stories and was built with blocks of volcanic rock. The walls are made from tuff and trachyte, materials sourced from distant regions and chosen for their durability against weathering.

This building was constructed around 1130 and initially served as an entrance structure to a religious district. Later it became the residence of the provost, the leader responsible for the city's ecclesiastical institutions.

The name refers to the provost, the religious official who lived here and oversaw spiritual affairs in the city. The remaining Romanesque window arches reflect the building's importance as a residence for the leader of Deventer's ecclesiastical community.

The building is located in central Deventer at Sandrasteeg 8, just behind the modern library. It is protected by a glass covering that shields it from weather, making it easy for visitors to view from outside.

This building is the oldest surviving stone residence in the Netherlands, showing how medieval builders created durable masonry in the 12th century. The choice of volcanic materials from the distant Eifel region shows that trade networks already existed to bring such valuable building materials to this area.