Hofje

A Hofje (Dutch, small courtyard ) is in the Dutch language area from an existing individual houses and community facilities complex that is built around a central courtyard and were donated by the Dutch or Flemish merchants as free apartments for the elderly for their staff. At about the same during the Middle Ages religiously oriented farms that beguinages, single women, the socially imposed them then retracted, dedicated to the faith life offered without having to enter a convent and had to belong to a particular religious community.

Today, these almshouses apartments are no longer rent-free, but are still often rented to vulnerable, elderly citizens. But even with students and artists, accommodation is in great demand. Some of the homes are now as condos are privately owned.

Formation

Its origin had the almshouses in medieval precursors of retirement homes for former staff and houses for single women. The term was due to the arrangement of the condominium, which are grouped as an architectural ensemble consisting of a few small houses and outbuildings around a common, usually applied as a kitchen garden courtyard. In addition to the vegetable garden, there were, among others, toilets, washing facilities and a kitchen as community facilities; the individual living and sleeping areas of the residents were in the small, picturesque row house.

An important feature of almshouses was the joint financial management and close household. The Hofje is usually distinguished from adjacent buildings and equipment through walls or moats and accessible only through one or two doors that were closed in earlier times by 22 clock. Each Hofje had a porter / caretaker, who was in the service of the Foundation, which owned the Hofje. The foundations were led by wealthy patrons, who were called " regent ". They also decided on the influx of residents and gave them the homes for.

Ancillary facilities for women and retirement seats for staff soon emerged and social facilities for the elderly, poor or sick.

Today, the houses are rebuilt, equipped with private facilities and kitchens and are grouped around a park or an ornamental garden. They are sought-after accommodations for students, artists and young people. In its nature the plants are similar to cooperative settlements of the early 20th century in European cities.

Pensions

Before Willem Drees, the Netherlands did not know any old-age pensions. The ancients had to rely mostly dependent on the church or patrons or their masters and to free accommodation and most economical financial management.

(Almost) only for women

Single women, unmarried or widowed, who did not want to enter a convent and take a vow found in the beguinages a home. In the "normal" almshouses but also lived mainly older women. For older men, there was the Oudemannenhuis.

Virtuous life

Free live was a favor, for it was expected that the beneficiaries led a righteous, God-fearing life. Many almshouses had their own church, regular church attendance was mandatory; a staying away overnight only with the consent of the regents possible.

Plants received

Almshouses are typically Dutch, but also in Belgium they are found. Most were built between the 13th and 19th centuries. Well maintained equipment can be found in Amsterdam, Alkmaar, Haarlem, Hoorn, Leiden or The Hague. In Groningen or Naaldwijk, as in other northern locations, the names of the almshouses " Gasthuis " or " Geesthof ".

Today

Living in almshouses is no longer free, but still live there mostly single older women, although increasingly younger people, such as students or artists who are interested in such a tiny house and a still largely shared everyday life and also by the owners given the option of a rental. Especially in The Hague are now many Hofjeswohnungen as condominiums are privately owned. In an earlier Haarlem Hofje is now a brothel. Otherwise Haarlem applies not only suffering as " almshouses City " since they probably have the most preserved plants.

• Culture ( Netherlands)
• Local form of settlement
• Urban planning (Netherlands)