Who built the Hof van Savoye in Mechelen?
Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy and Governor of the Netherlands, began the expansion of the palace in 1507. The architect Rombout II Keldermans furthered the construction from 1517 to 1530.
Questions about Hof van Savoye
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why is the Hof van Savoye historically significant?
The Hof van Savoye was one of the first Renaissance buildings in Northern Europe. It was the palace where Margaret of Austria raised her nephew Charles, the later Holy Roman Emperor, and where Anne Boleyn spent part of her upbringing.
What is the connection between the Hof van Savoye and the Palace of Whitehall?
Historian Eric Ives notes that the inner courtyard and southern wing of the Hof van Savoye stood as a model for the Palace of Whitehall as rebuilt for Anne Boleyn in the 1530s. Anne had spent part of her upbringing at Margaret's court in Mechelen.
What happened to the Hof van Savoye after Margaret of Austria died?
After Margaret died in 1530, the palace was owned by the city until 1561, when it became the residence of Granvelle, the first Archbishop of Mechelen. In 1609, the city bought it back, and by 1616 it served as headquarters of the Great Council of the Netherlands until 1795.
What is the Hof van Savoye used for today?
The Hof van Savoye is now known as the Gerechtshof, or Court of Justice. It houses the lower courts of Mechelen, including the Criminal and Civil Court, the Justice of the Peace, and the Police Court.
When was the Hof van Savoye damaged and what caused it?
In 1546, the Zandpoort, the city gate used to store gunpowder, exploded and brought repairable damage to the palace. The building was owned by the city at the time.