Architect Pierre Cuypers
Parkhotel Valkenburg is a national monument. It was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers (May 16, 1827 – March 3, 1921).
Pierre Cuypers
Pierre Cuypers is one of Holland’s most famous Dutch architects. Among others, the Rijksmuseum, Central Station Amsterdam and Castle De Haar in the village of Haarzuilen near Utrecht, are by his hand.
The current Parkhotel Valkenburg was designed by Cuypers in 1889 as Kuhrhaus ‘Huis ter Geul’ on behalf of the ‘N.V. Maatschappij tot Exploitatie van een rust- en herstellingsoord Valkenburg’. At the time, it was a spa for the happy few.
In 1892, Queen Regent Emma and the then young Princess Wilhelmina visited the hotel.
Now owned by the Foundation for the Preservation of Monuments Laurentius and Petronella, the hotel has undergone several renovations. Not an easy matter because precisely because of the building’s monumental status, not just any change or modification to the hotel is allowed and the character of the building must be carefully preserved.
Want to learn more about architect Cuypers? We then recommend walking the Cuypers walk through Valkenburg. This will lead you past the buildings and monuments he designed, during the time he lived in Valkenburg.
By scanning the QR code at the entrance of the hotel, you can access this walk. Then also visit the Catacombs in Valkenburg. These give a very accurate picture of ancient Roman tombs.
The Cuypers museum in Roermond also provides a good and impressive picture of the life and works of this great Dutch architect.
