Voorstraat in Vianen is the heart of the town centre. The street runs straight through the centre of town, with the Grote Kerk on one side, the Lekpoort on the other and the town hall in the middle. In addition to a variety of shops and restaurants, the spacious street also houses works of art such as the horse, the town pump and two Stolpersteine. It’s the location of the Vianen Municipal Museum and the former post office.
A variety of impressive buildings attract the visitor’s atten…
Voorstraat in Vianen is the heart of the town centre. The street runs straight through the centre of town, with the Grote Kerk on one side, the Lekpoort on the other and the town hall in the middle. In addition to a variety of shops and restaurants, the spacious street also houses works of art such as the horse, the town pump and two Stolpersteine. It’s the location of the Vianen Municipal Museum and the former post office.
A variety of impressive buildings attract the visitor’s attention. One of the most remarkable buildings on Voorstraat is the Anduspand, also known as the former cantonal court. This national monument with its classical façade and tall Ionic pilasters was built in the year 1807 by Pieter Hendrik Schelkens, whose grandson, along with 12-year-old Johannes op den Hooff and 7-year-old Christina van Braam, laid the foundation stone. A few years later, they got married.
Between 1894 and 1995, the building served as a district court. From 1938, it was also the location of the post office, police station and gendarmes’ house. During World War II, it was the location of the Marechaussee (military police). After the War, the building retained its functions as a police station and district court until 1995.
Further reading: The Lekpoort, Vianen town hall, Former synagogue, Large Pump/Vianen Town Pump, Vianen Municipal Museum, Former post office/residence.
