Rooms of Maria van Pallaes, Dutch hofje
The Rooms of Maria van Pallaes is a row of twelve small brick houses built in 1651 on Agnietenstraat, originally created as free housing for people in need. Each house features simple classical design with family emblems and construction dates carved above the doors, connected to a shared courtyard and gardens.
The houses were built in 1651 by a wealthy merchant's widow who devoted her resources to helping the poor. The city of Utrecht later took over management, and in the 1960s a monument preservation fund assumed responsibility for repairs and ongoing maintenance.
The rooms bear the name of their founder and reflect a deep commitment to community care. Visitors can see the modest living spaces where poor residents once stayed for free, revealing how charity was practiced through direct action and shared responsibility.
The houses are located in the historic center and easily reached on foot, situated in a quiet street alongside other historical buildings. The adjacent courtyard with gardens offers a peaceful place to explore and take photographs, especially during warmer months.
Above the main entrance sits a carved stone inscription with the founder's name and family coat of arms, documenting her personal commitment to charitable work. This detail makes the building a rare example of 17th-century architectural documentation of a founder's gesture.
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