Lieven de Key facts for kids
Lieven de Key (born 1560 – died July 17, 1627) was a famous Dutch architect. He lived during the Renaissance period in the Netherlands. Today, he is best known for the many buildings he designed in the city of Haarlem. His building style is often called Mannerist.
Biography of Lieven de Key
Lieven de Key was born in Ghent. He was already a well-known architect when the city council of Haarlem asked him to become their city architect in 1592. He took over from Wouter den Abt.
De Key brought a special Dutch Renaissance style to Haarlem. This was similar to the style Hendrick de Keyser brought to Amsterdam. Many buildings in Haarlem are linked to him or his students.
Haarlem had a big fire in 1576. This fire destroyed a large part of the city. Because of this, many new building projects were planned. This is why so many buildings in Haarlem are connected to Lieven de Key. Before working in Haarlem and Leiden, De Key also worked in London from 1580 to 1591. He passed away in Haarlem when he was about 77 years old.
In more recent times, many streets, buildings, and even a large housing company in Amsterdam have been named after him.
Buildings Designed by Lieven de Key
Lieven de Key designed many important buildings. Here are some of his most famous works:
- The front of the city hall in Leiden.
- The Vleeshal in Haarlem, built from 1602 to 1603.
- The gymnasium in Leiden.
- The tower of the St. Anna church in Haarlem. This tower still stands, even though the rest of the church was rebuilt later.
- The Waag (weigh house) in Haarlem, built in 1595.
- The north wing of the city hall of Haarlem, built in 1620.
- The stone entrance to the Proveniershuis in Haarlem, built in 1592.
- The front of the main hall of the Frans Hals Museum, built from 1604 to 1609.
- The gateway of the St. Barbara Gasthuis, built in 1624.
See also
In Spanish: Lieven de Key para niños
