De Zwaan (The Swan) in Oirschot
A drawing dating from 1625 shows the site of the current Zwaan still undeveloped. However, the Zwaan's predecessor already stood on the current market square around 1450, flanked by the house of the rector of the Latin School. At that time, De Zwaan was already an inn and also had its own brewery.
In 1623, a major fire destroyed these houses, but not the main church. No houses were then allowed to be rebuilt on that site, and thus the current market square was created. The old market square, north of the Boterkerkje, became the site where the new Zwaan was built. The year anchors 1 6 are located in the side wall, and 2 3 in the rear wall.
De Zwaan has had many owners …
A drawing dating from 1625 shows the site of the current Zwaan still undeveloped. However, the Zwaan's predecessor already stood on the current market square around 1450, flanked by the house of the rector of the Latin School. At that time, De Zwaan was already an inn and also had its own brewery.
In 1623, a major fire destroyed these houses, but not the main church. No houses were then allowed to be rebuilt on that site, and thus the current market square was created. The old market square, north of the Boterkerkje, became the site where the new Zwaan was built. The year anchors 1 6 are located in the side wall, and 2 3 in the rear wall.
De Zwaan has had many owners over the years. The Somers family owned the property for four generations, from 1755 with Johan until 1916. The last was Antonie, an innkeeper and brewer, and a fiery leader of the Oirschot Harmony.
A brewery was associated with De Zwaan until 1916, when Anthonie sold the inn with the brewery, to De Kroon Brewery.
De Zwaan included a barn and yard in Molenstraat, used to house the stagecoach horses and the guests. The Somers family put De Zwaan on the map nationally. Prince William II, the future king, stayed there, as did countless other famous Dutch figures.
On April 25, 2006, a fire broke out in the building. De Zwaan was rebuilt shortly thereafter.
At present, the SNTZL Restaurant De Zwaan is now located in the building.
