Consider this: a mayor’s act of devotion transformed into a haven. This is the Hofje van Loo. We stand before a place rich with Haarlem history. It is a testament to compassion.
The Hofje van Loo has a unique character among Haarlem’s almshouses. Unlike most hofjes, it greets the street directly. A fence is all that separates it from the world outside.
Let’s delve into its origins. In 1489, Symon Pieterszoon van Loo and his wife, Godelt Willemsdochter, established this hofje. Symon was Haarlem’s mayor. They dedicated it to the rest and honor of their parents’ souls. It was also for themselves. They funded thirteen rooms with gardens. The St. Elisabeth Gasthuis managed it.
The arrangement came with strict rules. The rooms had to stay on the Grebbesteeg. This was behind the van Loo house. The house fronted the Barrevoetesteeg. Each resident received one stuiver weekly. That was five cents. They also got one or two baskets of turf for cooking and heating. A plot of land in Castricum provided additional income. The rooms, land, and rent had to be managed separately. This last rule did not last. The land was sold in 1633. The books merged with the St. Elisabeth Gasthuis in 1683.
The original houses did not survive. They were replaced in the 17th century. Renovations followed in the 18th century. The regent’s room was split in 1843. It had never been used. This created two more houses. Fifteen members could now reside here.
The Hofje van Loo almost vanished in 1884. The Barrevoetesteeg was widened. It became the Barrevoetstraat. One side of the hofje was demolished. Plans arose to move the entire complex. In 1885, the council decided otherwise. Only three houses on the street side were torn down. These belonged to the van Loo hofje. The Oud-Alkemade hofje was moved instead. Three new houses were built further back. They stand to the left and right of the gate. The old regent’s room became the gatekeeper’s cottage. The total number of rooms became fourteen.
The gatekeeper had specific duties. In 1835, her yearly salary was eleven guilders. She opened and closed the gate. She turned the streetlight on and off. She cleaned the privy. She fetched medicine for sick residents. Today, one resident serves as the main contact for the regents.
The coat of arms of the Sint Elisabeth Gasthuis survives. It was once above the entrance gate. Now, it is embedded in the facade of one of the new houses. It also adorns the water pump. Modernization came in 1987. There are now twelve dwellings.
Take a moment to appreciate the tranquility here. The Hofje van Loo offers a glimpse into Haarlem’s past. It reflects the enduring values of community. It shows the values of care. It is a quiet oasis amidst the city’s bustle.