Van Brienenhofje

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  • Address
    Prinsengracht 89-133, Western Canal Belt
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Lonely Planet review

This charming courtyard was named in the late 18th century for Jan van Brienen, who bought the Star Brewery located here, one of 13 breweries in town at the time. (The place is still called De Star hofje by many.) It was turned into an almshouse for older residents, and although not dirt poor they had a clear division of labour: the women cleaned house for the single men, who in turn toted water buckets from the outside pump (topped by a curious lantern). There's a manicured garden.

If hofjes (traditional Dutch almhouses with a central courtyard), interest you, be sure to visit the Jordaan area which has many of Amsterdam's finest examples.