Entrancehal Van Haren Shoe factory
Canon 5Ds | EF 8-15mmL f/4.0 | 17 photos | 1/8 - f/8.0 - iso 100
Waalwijk and the Langstraat region have long been closely associated with the Dutch leather and footwear industry. In the past, numerous shoe factories and leather businesses operated in and around Waalwijk. One of the best-known names is Van Haren. The former shoe factory on Hoogeinde in Waalwijk still stands as a reminder of this important period in the city's history.
The origins of the factory complex date back to 1906, when a house with a small shoe factory was built on the site. In 1913, Johan van Haren bought the business, and the Van Haren family began manufacturing shoes there. Over the following years, the factory was expanded and renovated several times. The complex acquired much of its present-day appearance around 1930. Today, the factory building is a listed national monument.
The entrance hall is a particularly distinctive part of the former factory building. The space immediately catches the eye with its large glass ceiling, which bathes the hall in a warm, yellow glow of natural light. Equally remarkable are the large murals by artist Theo van Delft. These paintings depict the leather and footwear industry, illustrating various stages of shoe production. They also include references to Van Haren's branches.
It is precisely the combination of industrial architecture, historical murals and the distinctive light that makes this entrance hall so interesting to photograph. The space tells us not only about the history of Van Haren, but also about the important role the footwear industry has played in Waalwijk and the Langstraat region.
