Godshuizen

From the 14th century onwards, rich people and corporations donated money to built houses for the needy. Eldery citizens, widows and the disabled found a home in those "Godshuizen"(almshouses). In general a dozen of them surround a courtyard, together with a chapel. Once the courtyard was used for cultivating a few vegetables. There was a public waterpump too, and some outdoor toilets.
The name of the donator, or donating family, is often painted on the wall, together with the founding year, and -sometimes- a family coat of arms.
The courtyards became nice gardens, and nowadays the almshouses are often oases of peace and rest, where retired residents still find a cosy home.

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