Snouck van Loosenhuis

The Snouck van Loosen House is a prominent townhouse on the Old Harbour of Enkhuizen. The 18th-century section was the former residence of the Snouck van Loosen family, who amassed their wealth through trade during the time of the East and West India Companies.

The family lived in the house until 1885, when this branch of the family died out with Maria Snouck van Loosen. Maria bequeathed her property to a charity fund and stipulated in her will that the house be furnished “for habitation by unmarried women or widows of respectable standing.”

The builder of the original house with the dome (1742) was merchant and mayor Dirk Semeyns van Loosen. In 1786, his nephew, Dirk Elias van Loosen, inherited the property and expanded it by purchasing two plots on the left side. The building received a new rear extension in Neo-Renaissance style and was officially opened as a ladies’ house in 1893.

Since then, time has virtually stood still in the Snouck van Loosen House.

Unique interior details

The distinguished rooms on the right, dating from 1742, feature dark red Utrecht velvet wallpaper and a richly decorated fireplace, crowned with a mantelpiece in an elaborately carved frame. On either side of the fireplace are display cabinets, decorated with Rococo ornaments and gilded lead trim.

The front left room dates from 1892 in its current state. The original neoclassical furnishings were partially replaced by an old fireplace and gold leather wallpaper, originating from a garden room demolished in 1890. The only surviving 18th-century painted ceiling is located in the dome of the house.

This room still contains many elements from the time of construction, such as paneling, a fireplace, a former privy, and a buffet niche.

Basement

In the basement, the kitchen and working kitchen stand out. The enormous marble countertops, the china cabinets, and the monumental stove exude an atmosphere of bygone times.

Video

Watch the video about the Snouck van Loosen House from the program Binnenstebuiten at https://binnenstebuiten.kro-ncrv.nl/wonen/video/het-koopmanshuis-snouck-van-loosenhuis-in-enkhuizen