Acquisition Portiershuisje Grote Kerk Veere

Monumentenbezit adds the former porter's cottage of the Grote Kerk Veere to its portfolio! In late 2023, the Veere City Council took the decision to transfer the monumental gatekeeper's house.

The former guardhouse is the first thing you encounter when visiting the cultural hotspot the Grote Kerk Veere. Mark van den Bos, director-director Monumentenbezit, is pleased with the acquisition. "The first thing you see, of course, is the church itself. You can't get around that. But when you walk onto the grounds, you immediately pass this special monument. It will be a logical place to receive visitors."

Construction and demolition

The monument has been part of life around the Grote Kerk Veere for centuries. The Oudestraat, on which the church is located, was built up with houses as early as the seventeenth century. The former gatekeeper's house itself comes from the nineteenth century. It was probably built during the French occupation of Veere, around 1809-1811. During that period, the grounds around the church were walled in, as you can see on the maps below. There was then a separation between the grounds and the public road.

The two maps from the nineteenth century show two buildings on the church grounds, but only one can be seen today. In the early 20th century (demolished between 1900-1938), the adjacent watchman's house was demolished; the other was preserved. Many parts of the monument have been replaced or modified over the years, though. You can still see the interventions from different time periods.

Plans monument and garden

In the future, this monument will be the place where you start your visit for the cultural stage of the Grote Kerk Veere. It will be the gateway to the new city garden. In fact, the church garden will be transformed into a green meeting place.

Josje Stoel, director Grote Kerk Veere, talks about the plans, "In 2022 we started sketching to create a new accessible city garden around the Grote Kerk Veere. A garden with a terrace, for gathering and meeting, (nature) education, space to play and discover. This house plays a crucial role in the development and experience of the city garden as a distribution point for drinks and snacks, gardening equipment and (old Dutch) toys. So as a visitor, you can come here soon to get a cup of coffee, for example."