The history of the Kei Quarter

For those who aren’t entirely familiar with Amersfoort’s neighborhoods: The Keikwartier encompasses the following streets: Arnhemsestraat, Koestraat, Koesteeg, Grote- and Kleine Haag, Achter de Arnhemse Poortwal, Varkensmarkt , and Slijkpoortsteeg. In addition to a bit of history, you’ll find charming boutiques and a variety of restaurants and bars in this neighborhood.

Let's start at the Slijkpoortsteeg. This name is related to De Slijkpoort from 1420. It was named slijk because the ground outside the gate was rather swampy. It was a rectangular gate with slate roof and simple front gate. It was once part of the second enclosure, and found at the end of Arnhemsestraat. It was also called the Leusderpoort. Because through this gate you could walk to church of Leusden.

Around 1822, a section of the city wall collapsed. As a result, eight years later, the Slijkpoort and the remains of the wall were demolished to create a public park. The remaining materials were used for the cavalry stables on the Beestenmarkt and to pave the road to Leusden. Later, in 1957, the moat was also filled in, and a ring road was built around the city. Because the current Arnhemsestraat was part of the Slijkpoort, it used to be called Slijkstraat. The residents didn’t think that sounded very nice, so the name was changed to Arnhemsestraat in 1888.

Fun fact: Behind the Arnhem Gate Wall, traces of agricultural use from the 13th -century were found in 2014. Including a well and more than 3,000 archaeological finds.

This has always been a lively square with various markets. And as the name suggests, piglets used to be traded here. But first, there was a fish market. In 1552, a peat varkensmarkt and varkensmarkt were added. Until 1552, the square was called St. Joostenplein, and it didn’t receive its current name until the varkensmarkt moved there. In 1554, it expanded further to include a sheep market. The fish market was then moved to the Ketelaarsbrug. And the piglets eventually ended up at the Lieve Vrouwekerkhof.

Since 1984 you can admire artist Marius van Beek's sculpture, the Baadster and Torser, on the Varkensmarkt. There have been plans to renew the Varkensmarkt for some time. It should become an atmospheric and green square that invites to grab a terrace or have a chat on one of the benches that will be there. That promises a lot of conviviality! The name 'The Amersfoort Montmartre' has already been mentioned.

On this street you used to find a small gate called the Koepoort. This was used to bring the cattle from the city farms to the pasture outside the city. That is why it is called Koestraat and Koesteeg here. You'll also find the Mayor's House here. So named because of the foundation stone laid on June 15, 1860 by Mayor A.G. Wijers. It then functioned as a teacher's house, belonging to the Stadsarmenschool. At one time this was the site of restaurant Het Burgermeestershuys and nowadays you can eat here at restaurant Peter & Selie.

Okay, okay ... we can't get out of it, so here goes. Before you read it, remember that gullibility is a quality and also has something beautiful and innocent about it.

In the summer of 1661, Jonkheer Everhard Meyster, on the Leusderheide, found a huge boulder. He bet his friends that he would succeed in getting the Amersfoorters to drag this boulder into the city.

With the promise of beer and fresh pretzels, 400 helpful and somewhat naive Amersfoorters set to work. With sledge and pull, the giant colossus was finally dragged into the city. That was not easy. One man even lost his legs because he ended up under the boulder. The self-styled Meyster had a commemorative medal minted for this event, as well as writing the poem Keyklucht. And if that was not enough, he incorporated various memories of his region into the house he had built in Utrecht. He called the house 'De Krakeling'.

Since it turned out to be a big joke, the poor people of Amersfoort were laughed at and mocked for it. To this day, if you were born here, you’re called a “keientrekker.” Filled with shame, the “keientrekkers” buried the monstrosity on the Varkensmarkt in 1672, only to dig it up again in 1903. Enough time had passed, and by then the people of Amersfoort could laugh about it. The Amersfoortse Kei was displayed on a pedestal on Utrechtsestraat as a symbol of pride.

In 1932, the boulder was moved to Arnhemsestraat. And during the German occupation, it was temporarily buried in the Hof, out of fear of damage. When the annual Keistadfeesten began in the 1970s, it was decided on several occasions to parade boulders from various European countries through the city. That’s why you’ll find all those large stones in the park along the Stadsring.

Although we Amersfoorters were thoroughly humiliated in 1661, we still have reason to be proud. Our Amersfoortse kei weighs 7,157 kilograms, is 2 meters tall, and has a circumference of 5.25. And our ancestors managed to drag it all the way from the Leusderheide to the city. And that makes us incredibly strong, resourceful, true go-getters, and people who’ll go to great lengths for a beer!

Source: Archief Eemland