Amstelveen,
07
October
2020
|
18:00
Europe/Amsterdam
KLM 101st house is in ’s-Hertogenbosch
Summary
In keeping with tradition, KLM will once again mark its anniversary on 7 October with a new Delftware miniature house. KLM presents these houses to World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. The 101st KLM miniature house is a replica of the 800-year-old building "Die Mariaen" (now known as "De Moriaan") in ’s-Hertogenbosch in the southern province of Brabant in the Netherlands.
This stunning historical building is described in the city archives as "tcasteel op die Mariaen", the castle on the Mariaen. It's hard to say to what "Mariaen" referred exactly, but the name has been changed by vernacular speech over the centuries and is now known as "De Moriaan".
"De Moriaan" was chosen to be the 101st KLM miniature house because it was built as a mercantile house and because the province of Brabant is a major contributor to the Dutch economy today, with international commerce that brings many passengers to KLM. Since its establishment, KLM has created opportunities for international business relations between the Netherlands and the rest of the world. Even though the corona crisis has drastically reduced trade over the last few months, KLM still wants to mark its 101st anniversary. Not with celebrations, but with the unveiling of KLM's Delftware miniature house number 101. We hope that we will be able to present this house to many loyal passengers soon on board our flights.
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It is important that we hold on to our KLM traditions in times of crisis. For our loyal customers, our miniature houses symbolise their ties with KLM, which we want to cherish and preserve. This is why we didn't hesitate to produce house number 101. "Die Mariaen" symbolises the importance of international entrepreneurship for the Netherlands, especially in times of economic adversity. KLM's job is to ensure that people can come together through our extensive route network. We will continue to fulfil this role.
KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers
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About house 101
"De Moriaan" is one of the oldest brick buildings in the Netherlands. It was built in ’s-Hertogenbosch (also known as Den Bosch) over 800 years ago by members of the local nobility who settled in the new city, which had been granted a city charter in 1184. The enormous, 5-metre-high cellar was accessible at the rear from the quays of the inner harbour. Above this semi-underground commercial space was a huge hall, which was doubtlessly also used for trade. Behind this were a few smaller rooms and a kitchen.
The following historical text was found about the building:
„Die hartoghe van Brabant Henric, dede timmeren op die merct twee plaisante huzen, te weten Roijenburch ende tcasteel op die Mariaen.”
(„The Duke of Brabant Henric commissioned to build two pleasant houses at the market, Roijenburch and the castle at the Mariaen.”)
"De Moriaan" was threatened with demolition in the 1950s, but was ultimately saved after years of protests by the people of Den Bosch. The city council eventually decided to preserve and restore the building, revealing once more the striking architecture of this "city castle". Today, "De Moriaan" is home to the VVV 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) tourist visitor centre.
About KLM's Delftware houses
Since the 1950s, KLM has presented KLM Delftware miniature houses containing Bols Genever to World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. The houses are replicas of monumental buildings throughout the Netherlands and are eagerly collected. The number of houses in the collection has kept pace with KLM's anniversary since 1994, with new miniatures being added to the collection on or around KLM's anniversary on 7 October.
In the first picture: mayor of 's-Hertogenbosch Jack Mikkers receives the 101st KLM miniature house from KLM president & CEO Pieter Elbers
