Buitenplaats Hofwijck

In 1639 Constantijn Huygens bought a piece of land near Voorburg. Huygens was a versatile man: poet, composer, diplomat and secretary to no fewer than three stadholders. So he was in the center of power, but he was also looking for a place to relax. That had to be Hofwijck, the place where he could 'depart' from the court. He was inspired for the construction of the house and park by Vitruvius, the architect from the Roman Empire who was based on human proportions. The house was to become the head, the garden was based on the rest of the human body. The house was located on the Vliet and then gave a beautiful view of the private garden and the surrounding landscape. Due to the construction of the railway and the advancing buildings, Hofwijck is now wedged, but still functions as an oasis of peace. And, just like in Huygens' time, it is also a center of culture.