A plaque at this building commemorates "Arnout Jan van Brienen, Heer van de Groote Lindt" and his wife "Sophia Maria van Wassenaer" who founded a almshouse for 40 poor homeless eldery people in 1804 at the Prinsengracht (canal) in Amsterdam. He was a very rich man and used his money at least to help the poor. Above the porch is an arm with two putto (a chubby male child) with a catholic cross).
Above the porch is a a nice little tower.
In september last year I visited the home of Van Brienen at Open Monuments day, look here.
Want to read more about this almshouse look here.
Want to read more about this almshouse look here.
I wish more of our wealthy citizens would do more to help the poor.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThis is a very nice little clock tower, a tiny building in it's own right.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHappy Tuesday!
Ruby
Its amazing how most wealthy citizens don't care to know or even care about poor elderly folk. Its sad that we have a world so wealthy and yet people go to bed hungry and cold. This was very generous on his behalf. Beautiful building and history.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI love your posts!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI'd imagine being homeless back then was way worse than now. I think all the time about how much money our country shells out for fighting wars or even in foreign aid, if they would just channel that money in helping out our own unemployed, the poor and homeless, providing some food and shelter...
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThere have always been people who cared, just not enough.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenOok een mooie tekst in oud Nederlandsch :)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenRats! I wanted to read more, but there was no translate button. I love the little cherubs above the door, and the fact that someone cared enough to make 40 people a nice home. There are always some good people in the world, just never enough for all those who need help.
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