Hofplein water pump
Together with the Hofpoort, the water pump on Hofplein forms one of the last visible reminders of the once widely known Batestein Castle. The pump was commissioned by Johan Wolfert van Brederode in 1648 during a major operation to refurbish and beautify the castle. The pump's design is attributed to Jacob van Campen, architect of the Palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam, among others.
The pump features Vianen's two mythical namesakes: Fy and Jane, two landladies of an inn in the area. According to the story, a gentleman from the Van Beusichem family could not choose between the ladies and built a house in the area which he named after both women: Vianen.
In 1948, the po...
Together with the Hofpoort, the water pump on Hofplein forms one of the last visible reminders of the once widely known Batestein Castle. The pump was commissioned by Johan Wolfert van Brederode in 1648 during a major operation to refurbish and beautify the castle. The pump's design is attributed to Jacob van Campen, architect of the Palace on Dam Square in Amsterdam, among others.
The pump features Vianen's two mythical namesakes: Fy and Jane, two landladies of an inn in the area. According to the story, a gentleman from the Van Beusichem family could not choose between the ladies and built a house in the area which he named after both women: Vianen.
In 1948, the pump was severely damaged during a collision with a truck. The subsequent restoration in 1952 replaces the female figure and the sand-hopping dolphin. The pump is also moved. The little door with the female figure at the back is spared and is currently kept in the depot of the Stedelijk Museum Vianen.
Read also Hofpoort, Kasteel Batestein, Zonnewijzer Lijnbaan, Stadskern Vianen and Stedelijk Museum Vianen.