De Blokhuispoort | Leeuwarden | Leeuwarden Netherlands | The Netherlands | Things to do Netherlands

De Blokhuispoort | Leeuwarden | Leeuwarden Netherlands | The Netherlands | Things to do Netherlands https://www.connollycove.com/destination/europe/ De Blokhuispoort is a cultural business-centre in the city centre of Leeuwarden. Housed in a former prison, it is now full of creative initiatives, businesses, and pop-up shops- as well as eateries, cafés, a hostel, and a brand-new city library. The current building was built in the second half of the nineteenth century on the site of a former fortress that stood there since the 1500s. De Blokhuispoort is located on the southeastern corner of the old town. It has undergone many adaptations and extensions over the centuries and has served as a prison since 1580. In its present form, the complex is 130 years old and has 180 cells. The historic building is now also home to the many unique cultural events in the city. The complex is state property and after the closure of the prison, it was given the function of a cultural centre. About 130 creative entrepreneurs have found a place there. The former staff of the prison have set up the Blokhuispoort Foundation, which aims to promote the preservation of De Blokhuispoort as cultural heritage. This Foundation has set up a Prison Museum in the alcove building with a focus on the history of the buildings. The Cell-block H is one of the old cell-blocks, in which now one can find creatives with their own shops and ateliers. The artisans produce jewellery, greetings cards, art, and design- and everything is for sale. The individual cells are now transformed into ateliers and shops. A diverse environment for small business-owners with creative products, all of which carry a small part of the Blokhuispoort in their design and execution. Since 2018, the main library ‘dbieb’ of the city of Leeuwarden has also been moved to De Blokhuispoort. The building also houses a hostel called Alibi in which visitors can experience how it feels to stay in a prison cell. If you’re looking fo