all locations

Peperhuis

The former VOC warehouse Het Peperhuis is part of the indoor museum of the Zuiderzeemuseum. It is the oldest building of the museum and has a special history. It was built in 1625, by order of a wealthy businessman. About 50 years later, the VOC took it over and used it for the storage of spices, tea and textiles. After the demise of the VOC, the building came into the hands of various owners.

In 1947, the Peperhuis was donated to the Zuiderzee Museum. What is surprising is that the facade of the building leans forward so much. It is said that this was already thought of during construction, so that it was easier to hoist to the higher floors that served as a warehouse. Another remarkable detail in the facade are the windows on the first floor. Their typical 18th-century appearance indicates that they were adapted to the prevailing fashion at the time. In 1682, the Enkhuizen Chamber of the East India Company bought this building for 2,600 guilders to use it entirely as a warehouse. The part on the Oosterhaven still bears witness to this function. It bears the carved monogram of the Enkhuizen Chamber of the VOC in the facade.