Hospital Leftovers

All that's left of this women's hospital in the North Holland town of Haarlem is the portal. Above the portal is this wonderful scene of one of the patient rooms.

Unfortunately I can't really translate the inscription, but I believe that it refers to the founding of the hospital. I also found this site which says that if you read the capital letters as roman numerals, they add up to 1435, the year of the original foundation.

Sorry for cutting off the last numeral in the year that this portal was built. It's a "4", which dates the portal back to 1624. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be in a "women's hospital" back then!

Cool air, Warm sun

When the sun comes out, it doesn't matter if there's a chill in the air ... there's nothing like sitting at an outside cafe, soaking up some rays and watching the world go by. Or if it's not the world, at least the town of Haarlem.

Type Cast?

The town of Haarlem, located just 50km from Wassenaar (or 20km from Amsterdam) is one of our favorite stops. It has a rich history and is usually very lively, especially on Saturdays.

Looking over the town square (grote markt) in shadow of the Grote Kerk (St Bavo's church, dating from 1370) is a statue of Laurens Koster.

Legend has it that Koster actually invented the type impression that Gutenberg would later use in his printing press. (Note to Gutenberg fans: I am neither a Haarlemmer nor a historian, hence the reference to "legend"). That's a piece of type that he's holding up in his right hand.

A Gift of Glass

*Photo needs to be enlarged to be appreciated*

We'll stay in the town of Gouda (about 40km from Wassenaar) to show you some of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Grote Sint Janskerk (St. John's church).


The windows are considered among the finest in Holland, and a great deal of them date from the 16th century. One of the most interesting aspects of the windows is that they were made during the battle for independence from Spain and change to protestantism. Many of the religious fables featured in the windows are parables for the battles of the time.


This window, while not one of the most colorful, is one of my favorites. Donated by the city of Haarlem, it depicts the of the battle of Egyptian city of Damietta during the crusades. If I remember correctly, the story goes that the dutch, led by William I and the Haarlemmers, conquered the port which was previously impenetrable. Nothing like a little bragging to one of your neighboring cities in the guise of a religious gift.


Click on the photo for a larger size, and check out the incredible detail (which is nearly impossible to see as you're straining your neck in the church). Take special note of the ship sailing over the supposed giant chain that protected the port.