Amersfoort's historic downtown is bursting with history. A walk through the city is, for those who pay attention, a small journey through time. You probably already know Muurhuizen, the Lieve Vrouwetoren and de Koppelpoort but did you know that history is also still very much present in the side streets? For example, in the Krommestraat you will find beautiful buildings that have stood the test of time. And there is much more to discover.
Crommestrate
The oldest mention of Krommestraat dates back to 1367. The street, like the parallel Langegracht, curves. And it is this curve that is responsible for the name. By the way, archaeological finds show that a road already ran here around 1200. Around the same time that Langegracht was excavated.
So people have been walking the Krommestraat for a couple of centuries. But not just to store as we do now, but mainly to brew beer. Because in this cozy little street, then called the Crommestrate, there were no less than four breweries. Not so strange, because Amersfoort is traditionally a real beer city.
Amersfoort beer city
Thanks to the Eem, medieval brewers had access to clean water. And you need that to brew a good beer. At the time, Amersfoort ranked fourth! spot in the top of beer cities in the Netherlands.
In the Krommestraat you found brewery de Kroon, where Dille & Kamille is located, the Pijpkan; here you can now shop at boetiek Las Lunas and in the former Paardje today you feast on fish dishes at de Viszaeck. Even today in Amersfoort we brew the most delicious beers in the Netherlands. Don't believe me? Do the Bike Beer Route this spring and taste it for yourself!
Old and new
If you look up while walking down the Krommestraat, you will see that many old details have been preserved. Krommestraat 36-38-40 (Dille & Kamille) is truly a picture to behold. The restoration of this beautiful national monument was completed in 1978. The front of number 44 (from 1921) is also beautiful, but especially check out the back.
The brick rear facade with casement windows of the former St. Joris Monastery is a real eye-catcher. These days, you can enjoy delicious pizzas at Restaurant San Giorgio, but in the past—surprise—this was the site of the Den Eenhoorn brewery. When the building next to the current San Giorgio was renovated in the 1950s, a 16th-century fresco of St. George and the Dragon was discovered there. This was the perfect reason for the owner to name his restaurant after him. You can view the original fresco at Sint-Joriskerk on the Hof.
Treasure Hunt
At lunchroom Rijdes aan de Gracht at number 10, you can still see the facade stone The Lamb of God. Exciting detail; in 1994 an earthenware pot containing as many as 508 silver coins was found here under the concrete floor. And there appeared to be more hidden in the Krommestraat. Because also in 1960 -in an unknown place- five silver coins were found.
In times of need, people used to bury coins with the intention of digging them up later. Sometimes that didn’t happen—for example, in the event of a death—which is why you still occasionally find treasures like these. And more has been preserved. Such as the facade stone from the Vergulde Paarde house (nos. 50–52–54), depicting a tree with a broad crown and two leaping horses. It can no longer be admired on Krommestraat, but it is still on display at Museum Amersfoort.
Tour of the city
At number 3 you will find the Waterlijn Amersfoort, the best way to see our historic city from a different angle. The enthusiastic employees of the Waterline are full of interesting facts about our beautiful city. Highly recommended!
But Krommestraat isn’t just full of hidden treasures from the distant past. These days, you can also enjoy a wonderful day of shopping with friends, delicious food, and, of course, a beer. Will you stop by?
Source: Archief Eemland