In the 17th century, The Netherlands entered a period of extraordinary wealth and influence, now remembered as the Dutch Golden Age. Haarlem played a central role in this era, known not only for its thriving trade and industry but also as the city of painters, architects, and innovators. Artists like Frans Hals and architects like Pieter Post left behind a legacy that still defines the city today.
It was in this flourishing time, between 1635 and 1639, that merchant Josephus Coymans and his wife Dorothea Berck commissioned the construction and decoration of their grand townhouse on Zijlstraat. In their reception room, they added something unique: a rare classicist ceiling painting by Pieter Post, one of the earliest known examples of his work. Hidden for centuries, this masterpiece was rediscovered in perfect condition during the transformation of the building into Hotel MAF in 2019.
Ceiling painting by Pieter Post from 1635 in the breakfast area of Hotel MAF
The Coymans family belonged to the wealthy merchant class that helped shape the Dutch Republic. From Haarlem and Amsterdam, ships of the Dutch East and West India Companies sailed the world, trading spices, textiles, and goods. While this era brought great prosperity and cultural achievements, it is also important to acknowledge its darker side: violent colonisation and the Netherlands’ role in the slave trade.
Over the centuries, the building at Zijlstraat 62–64 changed hands many times, but its walls always carried the echoes of Haarlem’s Golden Age merchants and craftsmen. Today, Hotel MAF continues this legacy by combining the grandeur of history with modern comfort. The Pieter Post ceiling can still be admired in our reception and breakfast room — a daily reminder of the city’s remarkable past.
By staying with us, you become part of a story that began nearly 400 years ago. A story of trade and art, of wealth and craftsmanship, and of a city that helped shape the Golden Age. Haarlem’s past lives on within Hotel MAF, where history meets today.
