Huygens' Hofwijck | Netherlands Photo Spot
Share this Page
The Hofwijck estate is situated on the bank of the Vliet canal, just a short hop from the center of The Hague. But unlike many of the other luxurious country houses built by nobles and merchants during the Dutch Golden Age, Hofwijck was never intended as a statement to show off. In fact, it’s one of the smallest country houses in Holland. Huygens designed the house himself around 1640, assisted by architect Jacob van Campen (who also worked on the Mauritshuis in The Hague and later Amterdam’s new city hall – now the Royal Palace). Although measuring a mere 10 meters by 10 meters in terms of area, the house earns its monumental status, rising gracefully from the water that surrounds it. The somber brick facade is paired with vibrant yellow shutters. The only decorations on the building’s exterior are 15 grisailles painted on the outside walls, intended to create the illusion of carvings in recesses. (Voorburg, Netherlands)