• Seven Countries Houses

Tjeerd Kuipers

About the architect

Tjeerd Kuipers (1857–1942) was a Dutch architect best known for his eclectic and imaginative designs. He created numerous churches and residential buildings across the Netherlands, often blending historical references with playful detail. One of his most famous works is the Zevenlandenhuizen in Amsterdam, commissioned in 1894, where each house was built in the style of a different European country. Kuipers’ work reflects the late 19th-century fascination with international styles and remains an important part of the city’s architectural heritage.

Origins of the Seven Countries Houses

The Zevenlandenhuizen (Seven Countries Houses) on Amsterdam’s Roemer Visscherstraat were built in 1894, commissioned by philanthropist Sam van Eeghen and designed by architect Tjeerd Kuipers. As the name suggests, the row consists of seven houses placed side by side, each reflecting the architectural style of a different European country.

 

A Romantic Vision

Kuipers’ project was part of a movement known as Exotism, a style that expressed a fascination for distant places and cultures. Rather than imitating only Dutch traditions, the Seven Country Houses celebrated a romanticized idea of Europe, blending diverse influences into one striking streetscape. Today, the row is recognized as a national monument and an iconic example of late 19th-century architecture in Amsterdam.

 

The Seven Styles

Each of the seven houses represents a different country and architectural tradition:

England - Characteristic Cottage style
Netherlands - Renaissance style
Russia - Evoking an Orthodox cathedral with onion dome
Italy- Reflecting the grandeur of Renaissance palazzi
Germany - Romantic style with pointed arches
Spain - Designed in the Mudéjar style
France - Inspired by the Loire castles

A Monumental Stay

Quentin Museum Square is housed in two of these remarkable buildings — number 30, representing the Netherlands with its Renaissance style, and number 32, inspired by traditional English Cottage architecture. Staying here means not only enjoying a comfortable base by the Vondelpark and Museum Square, but also experiencing a piece of Amsterdam’s architectural heritage in one of its most unique monuments.

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