Hozenstraat, or De Hozze, is a relatively ‘new’ street in Bredevoort’s old centre. It begins as a continuation of Ambthuiswal and then splits in two. One branch runs towards ‘t Zand, with an alley leading to Gasthuisstraat, the former Ganzenmarkt. The other branch splits again, one way towards ‘t Zand and the other towards Izermanstraat, where the street ends.
Hozenstraat could be laid out at the end of the 17th century after Bredevoort’s fortifications were expanded. The old town wall was demolished after an earthen rampart had been built all the way around Bredevoort Castle. The newly available space between the castle and the rampart created a dead-end street shaped like a stocking, or hozze in the local Bredevoort dialect, from which the street takes its name. The area was inhabited mainly by members of the Jewish community. After the castle moats were filled in, the Jewish community also had a burial ground on De Hozze, popularly known as ‘De Timp’. Bredevoort’s first synagogue was opened on the adjoining Ganzenmarkt.
Hozenstraat contains timber-framed houses that are nationally listed monuments. In addition, with eight municipally listed monuments, the street has a relatively high concentration of protected historic buildings.