The Duivelshuis, Arnhem — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Duivelshuis, the "Devil's House," sits in Arnhem with a name born from local misinterpretation and a history of remarkable survival. Built in the 15th century as a city farm, it was originally a utilitarian structure serving Arnhem's needs. Then, in 1518, Duke Charles of Gelre purchased it for his own purposes. A man of power and status, Charles transformed the building according to his tastes and authority. In 1539, the building was sold to Maarten van Rossum, a military commander of considerable renown. Van Rossum understood architecture as expression of power, and he initiated a renovation in 1543 that added a Renaissance gable, one of the earliest Renaissance architectural elements in the Netherlands. The gable was decorated with satyrs, mythological figures known for their mischievous, lustful, and chaotic nature. To the conservative citizens of 16th-century Arnhem, these pagan figures seemed devilish. The nickname "Duivelshuis" stuck, a name based on aesthetic disapproval masquerading as spiritual concern. The building survived centuries of change. Since 1830, it has housed the offices of Arnhem's mayors, a civic building serving official functions. During World War II, the city experienced serious fighting, and many buildings were damaged or destroyed. The Duivelshuis was damaged but not obliterated. After the war, it was extensively renovated and restored, saving it from demolition and allowing it to continue serving the city. Today, the Duivelshuis stands as a testament to Arnhem's persistence. It's not the oldest building in the city, nor the grandest, but it carries centuries of history in its walls and its name. The satyrs that once scandalized the pious still grin from the Renaissance gable, suggesting that what one era feared as demonic, another might simply recognize as human nature.