A picture of a picture.I saw this delegation of Chinese? men posing in front of the "Paushuize" (Pope home) in Utrecht. The building has been named after Adrian VI, the only Dutch pope who built the house from 1517 on. Adrian wasn't at that time a Pope. He worked at the Court of Emperor Charles V in Spain and hoped ever return to Utrecht. Adrian however was elected Pope in 1522 and died a year later in Rome. He has his home in Utrecht never inhabited.
The house is well preserved, the special architecture, the alternation of red brick with lighter "bacon layers"of natural stone and a stricking stepped gable, makes this a Renaissance house with Gothic influences. In 1830 it was renovated and the pointed arch windows were replaced by straight ones.
Nowadays Paushuize is used as a representative space for the Commisioner of the King and the provincial government. A part of it has since 1996 used at the University of Utrecht. In 1985 Pope John Paul II visited Paushuize.
I like the shutters on the upper story.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDearest Marian,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenLearned something new today... What a colossal home for that time and done in beautiful architecture. And just think about all the hand labor and hauling that much bricks and stones by horse wagon.
Enjoy your summer week and good luck for the Orange team tomorrow!
Hugs,
Mariette
It's a lovely building Marianne, it may not be used for what it was originally built for, but it looks very well cared for by it's present tenants :)
BeantwoordenVerwijderen"Bacon layers" what a great term for this brickwork.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThere's always an interesting story behind these houses. You given good description of the architecture and style of the house.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIt's a really beautiful place. If I'm not mistaken, I can just make out the shape of the windows as they were.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenPrachtig stukje historie met een interessant verhaal.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI am always impressed with the historical significance of many buildings in your country!
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