schuilhut

Schuilhut is a Dutch term for a small shelter or hideout. The word combines schuil, meaning to hide, with hut, meaning hut or shelter. A schuilhut is typically a lightweight, simple structure intended to provide temporary concealment or protection, rather than a permanent dwelling.

Architecturally, schuilhutten are often constructed from lightweight materials such as wood, with a simple roof and limited or no utilities. They may be freestanding or partially integrated into the landscape, sometimes camouflaged with vegetation or earth to blend in with their surroundings. Openings are usually limited to protect from wind and rain while allowing shelter.

Uses and contexts for schuilhutten vary. In rural and forested areas they have historically served as refuges for hunters, foresters, or farmers during work breaks or adverse weather. They have also appeared in wartime and resistance contexts as quick, concealed shelters or observation points. In contemporary settings, the term can refer to small park shelters or informal resting places along trails and nature routes.

While many schuilhutten are simple and temporary, some have become part of regional heritage, existing as remnants or restored structures that illustrate rural or wartime practices. Their exact form and significance depend on local tradition, landscape, and historical period.

Related terms include schuilplaats (hideout or shelter) and other regional terms for temporary shelters. In usage, schuilhut generally denotes a small, unobtrusive shelter rather than a large or permanent building.