The Hofje van Jongkind: Hidden History and New Life in the Heart of Gouda

If you’ve ever wandered through the center of Gouda, you know its charm lies in the details: winding alleys, tucked-away courtyards, and peaceful hidden gardens. But just beyond the obvious, there’s a secret spot that even locals might miss — the Hofje van Jongkind. Blink, and you’ll walk right past it. Step inside, though, and you’ll find yourself in a story that stretches back centuries — and is now being told in a whole new way.

A Courtyard Built on Ideals

The Hofje van Jongkind was founded in 1702 by Adriaan Jongkind, a local notary with a generous heart and a vision for his city. In his will, he left instructions to create a courtyard of small homes for "poor women of the Dutch Reformed Church" — a common act of charity (and legacy) among the well-to-do in the 18th century.

The hofje became home to nine women, each with her own modest house arranged around a serene courtyard. They were given annual supplies of peat for heating and lived quiet, dignified lives right in the heart of the city. The entrance gate, added in 1712 on Zeugstraat, bore a simple stone plaque in honor of its founder.

From Shelter to Culture

Fast forward to 1959: the last resident moved out, and the hofje began a new chapter as a cultural space. The original gate was relocated in the ’60s to the garden of the Gouda Resistance Museum, where it still stands today. But the courtyard itself endured — a quiet monument to simplicity, care, and community.

Today, the hofje is alive again — though in a different form. The tiny houses now host a one-of-a-kind hospitality concept, where food, atmosphere, and history meet. The roof may be closed, but the spirit of the courtyard still breathes through every corner.

An Ode to the Outdoors

Though the courtyard is now covered, large skylights flood the space with daylight, preserving the open-air feeling of a small square or garden. Every detail in the redesign whispers of the outdoors — subtle, but powerfully evocative.

The original house numbers are still visible, a nod to the individual homes and stories that once filled this place. The pantry door? Dressed up like a front door, complete with Adriaan Jongkind’s nameplate — a playful wink to the founder, and a loving tribute to the past.

Strung above the tables are vintage-style lights, the kind you’d expect on a balmy evening in an Italian piazza. They bring a warm, Mediterranean charm that perfectly matches the venue’s current role as a café and wine bar.

And then there’s the floor: still paved with the original bricks from centuries past. You’re quite literally walking on history — and you can feel it.

Past Meets Present

What was once a place of quiet shelter has become a vibrant meeting spot — where voices echo, plates slide across wooden tables, and glasses clink beneath twinkling lights.

And yet, the soul of the hofje lingers. In the stones, the layout, the care with which the space has been reimagined — not by building over the past, but by adding something new with respect for what came before.

Come See It for Yourself

The Hofje van Jongkind isn’t just another café in Gouda — it’s a living piece of history. A place where the past and the present meet over lunch or dinner, under skylights and between walls that have witnessed centuries.

It’s the kind of place where time slows down. Where you stay longer than you meant to. Just as it was always meant to be.