Hofje

A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages.

Related Topics:
Dutch - Almshouse

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A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded, and served as a form of social security. In the Netherlands there are still a number of hofjes in use.

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Hofjes are usually built in a U-shape with a yard or garden in the middle, and a gate as entrance. The shape of hofjes in most likely inspired by the (older) Begijnenhofjes -- religion-based women communities.

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Usually a distinction is made between the Begijnenhofjes, and 'regular' hofjes. The first ones were used only by (Catholic) women, who where supporting themselves. They were a sort of cloister. The latter however were more charitable institutions.

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To be eligible to live in a hofje one had to meet four criteria:

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• Sex: almost all hofjes were founded for women, as they could be relied on to keep a household running
• Religion: many hofjes were founded for people of the same faith as the founder (some hofjes were founded by church communities)
• Age: from the 17th century a minimum age was often used. Fifty years was common, and this was an old age in those years
• Social-economic background: hofjes were targeted for poorer people

In the 18th century there were hofjes founded for commercial purposes; the habitants would pay rent.

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Cities with many hofjes in the Netherlands are:

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• Leiden
• Den Haag
• Haarlem (Hofjes_in_Haarlem)
• Amsterdam
• Alkmaar
 
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