Houten Hoofd, Rijksmonument pier in Hoorn, Netherlands
Houten Hoofd is a historic wooden pier and national monument in Hoorn, in the Netherlands, where boats have long docked and unloaded goods. It extends into the harbor basin and is flanked by the medieval Hoofdtoren tower, which stands just behind it on the waterfront.
The pier was first built around 1464 to serve merchant ships arriving at Hoorn's busy harbor. It was fully rebuilt several times over the centuries, and a major restoration took place in 1957 as part of celebrations marking the founding of the town.
The name 'Houten Hoofd' means 'Wooden Head' in Dutch, a direct reference to the traditional wooden construction used when the pier was first built. Today you can still see old wooden poles rising from the water, giving the structure a look that connects it to centuries of harbor life.
The pier is easy to reach on foot from Hoorn's town center, sitting right at the edge of the harbor. A visit is best enjoyed in calm weather, when the water is still and the view of the surrounding waterfront is clearest.
During the Second World War, planks from the pier were torn up and burned as firewood to survive a harsh winter. Despite that, the core structure held, and the pier was later fully restored.
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