HISTORY

The ‘Statenzaal complex’ can be found between the city canals, in the middle of the historic center of Zwolle. The main entrance is located in the Diezerstraat, the busiest shopping street in the city.

When Zwolle became the capital of the province of Overijssel in 1803, a provincial house was of course included. It took a while until the Government Building (the actual Provincial House) was built in 1874. Later still, the ‘Statenzaal’ was built next to it. Construction began in 1895 lead by of Chief Government Architect Jacobus van Lockhorst and after more than three years, in November 1898, the hall was solemnly opened, after which the building was officially put into use as a meeting place for the Provincial Council.

The neo-Gothic style can be found in and around the building down to the smallest details. A showpiece of the Statenzaal are the fantastic stained glass windows, both technically and artistically special. The windows show the coats of arms of the Overijssel municipalities from 1894 and all towns of the river IJssel (‘IJsselsteden’) have their own window. The monumental wall paintings on canvas are beautiful and depict the highlights of the history of the province of Overijssel.

In 1973, the Provincial Hall moved and the municipality mainly used the Statenzaal as a wedding location. The last major renovation at the rear took place in 1986, after which the Statenzaal complex and the adjacent Government Building functioned as a central library for many years. 

In 2016 the library moved and it was time for 'something completely different'. The Statenzaal complex - a national monument - was made available for a new purpose by the municipality of Zwolle in 2019. The result is, among other things: the proud Hotel Staatsman. In addition to the hotel's 7 beautiful and monumental rooms/suites and the Grand Cafe, you will also find the monumental 'Statenzaal' and the associated monumental 'Coffee Room' in the building.

These monumental spaces have also undergone a carefully carried out renovation and restoration and are, for instance, used as a wedding location, as a location for cultural and educational events and for countless activities that are appropriate for these monumental spaces.

We can now conclude that the new destination that has been created over the past 4 years does justice to the beautiful building and today's wishes. The Statenzaal is now again available as a tangible piece of history and an icon for Zwolle.