This fine building stands on the corner of Grote Markt and Smedestraat. It became known as the "Hoofdwacht". It is one of the oldest buildings here. It was built in the 13th century and became Haarlem's earliest Stadhius. The present city hall took over in 1350.

Many important Haarlem families lived in the Hoofdwacht, like the mayor Jan van Zuren (around 1570) and Emerentia van Zuren (around 1615). The front of the building was renovated again in the 17th century you can see certain Roman at the front, like the balcony.

The building has had several different functions: city hall, dwelling-house, printing office, stores, beer cellar and seed house. In 1755 the city of Haarlem bought the house and it became the main Guardhouse.

Information borrowed from the work of http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~jr034/# with grateful thanks for your hard work.