thumb|[[Begijnhof, Amsterdam|Begijnhof in Amsterdam]]

thumb|The [[Hofje van Bakenes, a hofje in Haarlem dating from 1395.]]

thumb|Gablestone of the Hofje van Bakenes in Haarlem

thumb|Groot Sionshofje in Leiden (Netherlands), 1860

thumb|The Hofje van Gratie in [[Delft]]

thumb|The Geesthof in Naaldwijk

thumb|The Middengasthuis in [[Groningen]]

thumb|Entrance gate to Hofje van Pauw in Delft

A (diminutive of <nowiki/>'hof'<nowiki/>, <nowiki/>'court') is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. have existed since the Middle Ages.

A provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded, and served as a form of social security. In the Netherlands there are still a number of in use.

are usually built in a U-shape with a yard or garden in the middle, and a gate as entrance. The shape of was most likely inspired by the (older) Begijnenhofjes—groups of small houses inhabited exclusively by religious women.

A distinction is usually made between the Begijnenhofjes and 'regular' . The former were used only by (Catholic) women, who were supporting themselves. They were a kind of cloister. The latter were more charitable institutions.

To be eligible to live in a one had to meet four criteria:

  1. Sex: almost all were founded for women, as they could be relied on to keep a household running; although for men and married couples did exist
  2. Religion: many were founded for people of the same faith as the founder (some were founded by church communities)
  3. Age: from the 17th century a minimum age was often used. Fifty years was common, and this was an old age in those years
  4. Social-economic background: were targeted for poorer people

In the 18th century some were founded for commercial purposes; the inhabitants would pay rent.

The "Hofje van Mevrouw Van Aerden" in Leerdam is open to visitors as a museum.

Cities with many in the Netherlands include:

  • Alkmaar
  • Amsterdam
  • Delft
  • The Hague
  • Groningen
  • Haarlem (see Hofjes in Haarlem)
  • Leiden
  • Utrecht
  • Introduction to the history of hofjes
  • Museum Hofje van Mevrouw Van Aerden
  • Video tour of Haarlem's Hofjes
  • A map to the Hofjes in Amsterdam