Centrum in Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
De Reus Cajanus in Haarlem
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Cajanus the Giant in Haarlem
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 2026
1. De Reus Cajanus in Haarlem / Cajanus the Giant in Haarlem Marker
De Stichting Geveltekens Vereniging Haerlem zet zich in om de geschiedenis van Haarlem zichtbaar te maken. Zo ook hier in het Proveniershof, want hier heeft Daniel Cajanus gewoond. Daniel Cajanus, de Lange Fin oftewel Lange Daniel, zoon van een pastoor uit Paltamo, werd in het begin van de 18° eeuw in Europa beroemd vanwege zijn buitengewone lengte. Cajanus werd in 1703 in Finland geboren.
Met zijn lengte van 2,64 meter torende hij hoog uit boven de gewone man, die in die dagen nogal klein van stuk was. Ook de rest van zijn lichaam stond precies in verhouding tot zijn lengte en was dus fors aan de maat. Met zijn uitzonderlijke lengte overzag hij de hele wereld om zich heen. De Poolse koning August II zag zo'n lijfwacht wel zitten en nam hem in dienst als kornet. Hij kreeg een operetteachtig militair uniform, dat hem ongetwijfeld nóg imposanter maakte. Als August II in 1733 is overleden, trekt Cajanus de wijde wereld in.
Hij gaat zijn indrukwekkende gestalte te gelde maken als bezienswaardigheid. Als rariteit is hij een graag geziene gast aan tal van Europese hoven en zijn
this page online
Als hij eenmaal in Haarlem woont komt het de reus goed uit dat hij zijn geld niet over de balk heeft gesmeten. Nu kan hij zich net als andere bemiddelde burgers in 1745 voor 2800 florijnen in een vergroot Proveniershuis no. 8 inkopen. Hiervoor verkreeg hij voor de rest van zijn leven kost en inwoning.
Ook in de Haarlemse straten is Cajanus een opzienbarende verschijning. Als hij eens een praatje maakt met de smid aan de overkant van het Proveniershuis, ontsteekt hij zijn pijp aan de lantaarn die boven de deur hangt. Anderen die Cajanus hoog boven een menigte mensen op de Grote Markt zien uitsteken, menen dat hij te paard zit.
Daniel Cajanus overleed vier jaar later in zijn Proveniershuisje. Hij werd begraven in de Grote of St. Bavokerk. Daar blijft de herinnering aan Daniël Cajanus levend op de middenzuil van de Brouwerskapel, rechts van zijn portret. Daar is ook de Zandvoortse dwerg Simon Jane
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 2026
2. Cajanus the Giant in Haarlem Marker - wide view
Visible here in the passageway to the courtyard, on the right, along with the gevelsteen (commemorative relief).
Strip- en cartoontekenaar Alex van Koten heeft van Cajanus een tekening gemaakt welke door de beeldhouwer, restaurator Tobias Snoep is gebruikt om er een gevelsteen van te beeldhouwen.
Met dank aan: J.C. Ruigrok Stichting, Cultuurfonds, Stichting Monumentenbehoud, Particuliere giften, Aannemersbedrijf Jaap Overdevest en Woningbouw Vereniging Ymere
Cajanus the Giant in Haarlem
The Geveltekens Vereniging Haerlem Foundation is dedicated to making Haarlem's history visible. This is also the case here at the Proveniershof, as Daniel Cajanus once lived here. Daniel Cajanus—known as the "Tall Finn" or "Tall Daniel," and the son of a pastor from Paltamo—became famous across Europe in the early 18th century for his extraordinary height. Cajanus was born in Finland in 1703.
Standing 2.64 meters tall, he towered over the average man, who was rather short in those days. The rest of his physique was perfectly proportionate to his height,
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 2026
3. De Reus Cajanus in Haarlem / Cajanus the Giant in Haarlem Marker
Note the lines on the wall at 1.5, 2.0, and 2.64 meters (or 8 feet, 8 inches), so that observers can stand next to them and see how thy measure up to him.
He capitalized on his impressive stature by turning himself into a spectacle. As a curiosity, he was a welcome guest at numerous European courts, where his richly decorated uniform stood him in good stead. He was not above making a bit of extra money at annual fairs and carnivals, either. He initially lived in Amsterdam but moved to Haarlem after a few years.
Once settled in Haarlem, the giant was glad he did not squander his money. Like other well-to-do citizens, he was now able to buy his way into the expanded Proveniershuis (no. 8) in 1745 for 2,800 guilders. In return, he received room and board for the rest of his life.
Cajanus was a striking figure on the streets of Haarlem as well. When chatting with the blacksmith across from the Proveniershuis, he lit
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 2026
4. Cajanus the Giant commemorative relief (gevelsteen)
Here he is depicted as described on the marker, lighting his pipe from the street lamp. What also may be of note here are his rather large feet, which as Wikipedia notes, “the Dutch language still remembers him with the slang term Cajanus voeten, for unusually large feet.”
Daniel Cajanus died four years later in his lodgings here in the Proveniershuis. He was buried in the Grote of St. Bavokerk (“Great or St. Bavo Church”). The memory of Daniel Cajanus lives on there on the central pillar of the Brewers' Chapel, to the right of his portrait. The Zandvoort dwarf Simon Jane Paap is also commemorated there; his height — like Cajanus's —is indicated on the pillar by a small black marble rod. Cajanus was given an elaborate funeral.
Comic artist and cartoonist Alex van Koten created a drawing of Cajanus, which sculptor and restorer Tobias Snoep used to carve a commemorative relief plaque.
With thanks to: J.C. Ruigrok Foundation, Cultuurfonds, Monument Preservation Foundation, private donations, contractor Jaap Overdevest, and housing association Ymere.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Heroes. A significant historical date for this entry is February 27, 1749.
Location. 52° 22.635′ N, 4° 37.878′ E. Marker is in Haarlem, Noord-Holland (North
courtesy Noord-Hollands Archief (Inventaris 49477), circa 1845
5. Portrait of Daniel Cajanus (c. 1702 – Haarlem, 27 February 1749)
Lithograph by J. Reekers after a painting by B. Brand, with retouching and a four-line Dutch verse. This is the same image as used on the marker.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Proveniershuis / Home for Pensioners (a few steps from this marker); Peter Langendijk (within shouting distance of this marker); Hofje van Guurtje de Waal / Guurtje de Waal Almshouse (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Nieuwe Kerk (Ned. Herv.) / “New Church” (Dutch Reformed) (about 120 meters away); Brouwershofje / Brewers Almshouse (about 240 meters away); Bruiningshofje / Bruinings Almshouse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Rachel Swaap - de Vries (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Hijman Swaap (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Haarlem.
Also see . . . Daniel Cajanus (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
Daniel Cajanus (1704 – 27 February 1749) was a Swedish-Finnish giant. He made his living by exhibiting himself for money, appearing in many European countries and attracting the interest of scientists and laypeople, including royalty. …(Submitted on September 20, 2026.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 20, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
