Hof te Hongersveld

Abandoned yet echoing with history, the Hof te Hongersveld stands before us. This seemingly forgotten farmstead whispers tales of centuries past. Hof te Hongersveld translates to “Court at Hunger Field”. This name hints at a larger domain dating back to the 12th century, possibly even to the Carolingian era. This was no ordinary farm. The Hof te Hongersveld was the first farm of the Groot-Bijgaarden Abbey located outside the abbey’s walls. Its story begins in a lease description from 1331, a testament to its long history. Imagine the lives lived within these walls. The Hof te Hongersveld was a tenant farm, providing sustenance to the abbey. Over the years, various tenant farmers worked this land, their stories intertwined with the rise and fall of seasons and the rhythm of abbey life. The farm’s layout, as it appeared in the early 19th century, can be seen on the primitive cadastre map. It shows a closed courtyard surrounded by buildings. The main farmhouse stood to the north, facing an open barn. The barn replaced a long barn that existed until the 1960s. To the west, towards the street, lay the remnants of a stable wing. To the east, another ruined wing housed a dwelling, stables, and a barn. The courtyard was accessible through an iron gate, nestled between brick and sandstone pillars. The heart of the Hof te Hongersveld is the farmhouse. This seven-bay, single-story structure, built in 1728 after a fire destroyed the previous buildings, stands under a saddle roof adorned with dormer windows. Its whitewashed brick walls bear the marks of time, with anchor plates proclaiming the year of its construction. The traces of the original cross windows, framed by sandstone blocks and double relieving arches, speak of its past elegance. Though now fitted with wooden lintels and hardstone sills, one can still imagine the original arched doorway with its jambs, imposts, dripstone, and water table. The side gables, with their bargeboards, decorative brickwork, and finials, add a touch of charm. Sadly, only foundations and small walls remain of the other buildings, leaving much to the imagination. But the Hof te Hongersveld continues to hold its ground. It serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era.