Amersfoort, Hof by Aad Trompert

About "Amersfoort, Hof"

by Aad Trompert

About the artwork

De Hof is the largest square in downtown Amersfoort. The square is part of the Rijksbeschermd gezicht Amersfoort. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Hof was raised several times to make it suitable for markets, and in the 16th century the Hof was paved. The Hof now hosts markets every Friday and Saturday. Stone buildings arose on the Hof early on. First of all, St George's Church, in 1248. In front of the church is the Boterwaag, also known as the Butter Hall or Butter Exchange. On the building sits a small musical clock, where a Saint George and the dragon come out while playing. Saint George is a 3rd-century saint and patron saint of the city of Amersfoort. Another early stone building is Logement de Gaaper. This building from the second half of the 13th century, stands in the townscape behind Stadsbron. The Stadsbron can be found in the middle of the square. I replaced the bronze face in the Fountain with a sculpture by Thijs Trompert. There are stories of a dragon that sat under the fountain. Originally, this fountain is a 15th-century water fountain. I put the Lutheran Church, which stands on Langestraat, on the Court. Originally on the site of the Lutheran Church stood the Geestkapel, one of Amersfoort's first stone buildings, possibly older than St George's Church. Part of the building was guesthouse. From 1447, this guesthouse was under the management of the Pothbroeders. After the friars left, the building was used as a school, meat hall and scales, among other things. In 1686, The Lutheran congregation was given the chapel. Because of the danger of collapse of the old tower, the chapel then received a new facade in neo-classical style, designed by city architect Ruitenberg.