Schimmelpenninck Huys Hotel in Groningen, Netherlands

The rich history of this patrician's house, as recorded in the city's archeological archives, begins with its foundation around. A.D. 1100. It is one of the ten most important historical monuments of Groningen. The Schimmelpennick Huys has been host to a wide variety of individuals throughout the centuries, from soldiers of the 80-year war to squatters of the 20th century! Numbered amongst its more prominent residents are the French count Jean Baptista du Monceau, Lieutenant General of the Bataafse army (which expelled Napolean's forces), the city prosecutor Lambert Sijlman with his English wife Lady Elisabeth Shotte, and the city dentist, the German Dr. Joseph Otte. The last major building works were carried out in 1723 under Lambert Sijlman's supervision. The Louise XVI-style Baroque room in the rear of the house dates to this time. The house takes its name from Jan Rutger Schimmelpennick, a counsel-of-state during the time of the Bataafse Republic. He, along with three fellow-revolutionaries, held secret meetings here. They were held in the Baroque room. The ceiling of this room is truly impressive with its exuberant decoration. In the centre are symbols adopted from the French Revolution. From the four corners, portraits of the leaders of the Revolution look down at guests in silent witness to these long gone days of danger and heroism.