Meat rows (Vleeshal) description and photos - Netherlands: Haarlem (Topic)

Meat rows (Vleeshal) description and photos - Netherlands: Haarlem. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Vleeshal.

Photo and description

Among the many attractions of the Dutch city of Haarlem, the famous indoor market located in the very heart of Haarlem on the Grote Markt square, built specifically for the sale of fresh meat back in the early 17th century, undoubtedly deserves special attention. century and known as the Meat Rows.

A small covered market for the sale of fresh meat has existed near the Grote Markt at the intersection of Spekstraat and Warmoesstraat since 1386, but by the end of the 16th century it became too small to meet the needs of the rapidly growing city and the city authorities decided to build a new, more spacious structure. Especially for the construction of a new market in 1601, the mayor's office acquired several private houses on the Grote Markt and demolished them. The project of the building in the style of the so-called Dutch Renaissance, which was popular at that time, was developed by the famous Dutch architect Lieven de Kay and cost the city a tidy sum. During the construction, only the best and, accordingly, the most expensive materials were used. The ceremonial opening of the Meat Rows took place in November 1604, and until 1840 it was the only place in Haarlem where it was officially allowed to sell fresh meat.

In 1840, warehouses of the military garrison, quartered in Harlm, and in 1885 the State Archives were located here, and then the city library. During the Second World War and several years after its end, the building housed a service distributing cards for food and scarce goods, the city council of Haarlem then decided that this historic building would be used for exhibitions.

Today, the Haarlem Meat Rows are part of the exhibition complex known as "De Hallen Haarlem", and its past is only reminiscent of the sculptural facade images of bull heads. The upper floors house the collection of contemporary art of the Frans Hals Museum, while the ground floor is occupied by the Archaeological Museum.

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Topic: Meat rows (Vleeshal) description and photos - Netherlands: Haarlem.