DE STIJL CYCLING ROUTE 10 KM – 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES 100 years ago, the Stijl art movement revolutionised architecture. One of the people who joined this movement was Gerrit Rietveld. Gerrit Rietveld was a famous Dutch furniture maker and architect. His red-blue chair and Rietveld Schröder House became world famous. Get on your bike and discover the world of De Stijl by following De Stijl cycling route! Start at Domplein with your back to the Dom Tower and cycle left past the Domchurch straight into Voetiusstraat. Turn left at the intersection (Achter St-Pieter). Take the first right (Keistraat), straight ahead at the canal (Drift). Turn right at the busy intersection (Nobelstraat becomes Lucasbolwerk). The canal on your right (Lucas Bridge is crossed almost unnoticed) is the old city canal. Turn left at the traffic lights. Keep right after 100 meters (Wittevrouwensingel / Kruisstraat). Turn right at the end and immediately left into Bekkerstraat. Take the second street to the right (Palmstraat). Take the second street to the left (Poortstraat). Take the first street to the right (Ooftstraat). Halfway along this street is the birthplace of Rietveld on your right (house no. 14). Gerrit Rietveld was born on the 24th of June 1888. His father was a cabinet maker. His workshop was located at Poortstraat 98. Several years later, the family moved to this address. After attending primary school, Gerrit started working at his dad’s. In 1911 he married Vrouwgien Hadders and they moved to Ooftstraat 23. At the end of the street, turn right (Oude Kerkstraat). Cross Biltstraat at the end and turn left. On your right you will immediately pass house no. 423; the home of Truus Schröder-Schräder. After house no. 473 turn right and immediately keep left (Oorsprongpark). At the end, follow the roundabout for three quarters, cross the railway line and turn right into Ramstraat. At number 12 you can see the houses of Houtzagers. The female artist Truus Schröder-Schräder lived at Biltstraat 423 with her family. Rietveld and Schröder worked together: Rietveld designed her room which would lead to a close cooperation and in the end a relationship. P.J. Houtzagers is the designer of the ‘eclectische herenhuizen’ at Ramstraat 2-16 and 23-27. Rietveld followed lessons from Houtzagers and learned about architecture and styles. PAGE 29
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