Groot Groenewoude
This house, situated at 151 Oude
Gracht in Utrecht, was purchased by Judith Elisabeth's second husband,
Anthony Kerkhof in 1765, and inherited by her upon his death. It
became the residence of three generations of Reitzes, including Jan
Frederik Reitz.
C.L Tomminck Groll, in a thesis dated
1963, entitled Medieval Homes in Utrecht
states that it was "the most fantastic of all medieval houses in
Utrecht" with a history dating back to about 1351, at which time it was
already known as "Groot Groenewoude." At that time it was the
largest house in the area. It had a street frontage of nine
metres, was thirteen metres high and consisted of a cellar and five
upper floors. In addition to the living quarters, the house was
also use as storage for agricultural products - hence the high
ceilings, which made the house so imposing.
Overe the years, many
architectural and structural changeas were made. In 1770 the
original facade was modified, and in 1876 the top and the roof
structure were removed. In 1889 another floor was removed, and
extensive intenal renovations and remodelling took place. Floor
to ceiling heights were lowered, and the front was demolished and
replaced with a new facade.
It now serves as a shop.
with a new facade and glass shop windows.
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