Grote Houtstraat

The street runs along one of two old parallel roads running through the city on either side of the Grote Markt linking Heemstede to Schoten, and is one of the oldest streets in Haarlem.

The Grote Houtstraat in Haarlem was originally just called the "Houtstraat" (Wood street) as it was the major road leading from the Grote Markt to the woods called the Haarlemmerhout.

[1] Until the 15th century it ended at what is today the Gedempte Oude Gracht [nl], at that time the southern canal of the city.

[1] In the 15th century the town expanded southwards and the street was extended to the Gasthuissingel [nl] and a large town gate was placed near the bridge, which has since been torn down.

The street is lined with rijksmonuments such as the Verwey Hall, the Doopsgezinde Kerk, the Proveniershuis and the society Trou moet Blycken.