Jaap van 't Veen's photos

The “Jan van Cuijk” is a round brick so called beltmolen (belt = a man made mound). The windmill was built in 1860 as a grain and bark mill commissioned by Vincent van Riet. The white painted corn mill is officially located in the hamlet of Sint Agatha. Originally the mill was named “Hagelkruische molen” and later named after lord Jan van Cuijk, friend of King Edward I of England and of the Duke of Brabant. At the outbreak of the World War II, the mill was damaged and during the liberation in 1944 it was hit by several shells. In 1942, the belt was excavated and replaced by a warehouse. At the end of the 1950s, permission for demolition was granted, but it never came to that. However, an electric grinding shop was started in the mill. In 1971, the “Jan van Cuijk” was sold to the municipality. The “Jan van Cuijk” is regularly operated by volunteer millers on Saturdays. The mill has the status of a Dutch national monument.

At the end of April, the annual Bloemendagen (Flower Days) are organised in the village of Limmen. Important elements are the mosaics of hyacinths which are displayed all over the village. These flowery works of art are made by groups of residents/neighbours/friends/family.

The Ruïnekerk (Ruined Church) is dating back to the second quarter of the 15th century and was built on the site of a smaller pilgrimage chapel, which was built after the so called ’Miracle of Bergen’ in 1422. At time of the construction the church was the largest in the province of North-Holland. Originally it was a Gothic church, dedicated to Peter and Paul. In 1574, during the Eighty Years’ War against Spain, the church was looted and burned down by Dutch Protestants troops De Geuzen . The tower was lost completely, but the rulers of Bergen prevented the eventual destruction of the other remains, parts of the outer walls of the nave and the walls of the choir with its flanking chapels. The choir was rebuilt in 1594-1597 to serve as a Protestant church. Between 1955 and 1961 the church was restored and became a new wooden porch. The date 1958 is inscribed on the church facade to commemorate the restoration. In 1970, a 26-bell carillon was installed. Nowadays the church is still used for weekly services, but also for weddings, funerals and other cultural events. The Ruïnekerk - a national monument - is the landmark of Bergen, located right in the heart of the village.

Kasteel ‘t Huys te Nuwendore (Castle 't Huys in Nuwendore) was a fortress built by Count Floris V to keep the rebellious West Frisians in check. The castle was built in the 13th century, at the same time as some other castles, among them the Kasteel Radboud in Medemblik. Originally the castle consisted of a residential tower measuring 11 by 11 metres, a main castle measuring 32 by 32 metres and an outer castle. Kasteel ‘t Huys te Nuwendore was destroyed at the end of the 14th century, probably as a result of a dike breach. The foundations were preserved by the Rijksdienst voor de Monumentenzorg (National Monument Care) in 1960. Nowadays a watchtower stands on the site of the 13th-century tower. The grounds can now be visited and the tower climbed, which allows a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape.

Wimmenumer Molen (Wimmenumer Mill) - a polder mill that drained the Wmmenumer polder - was built in 1774, after its predecessor had been destroyed by a storm a year earlier. The polder was drained from around the middle of the 16th century; before or at the same time as two nearby lakes were drained. The windmill remained in operation until 1951, when it was taken over by an electric pumping station located next to the windmill. In 1953, the mill was rented to a private person, who bought it two years later from the water board. For the first few years, it was only a summer residence, but in 1967, the mill was restored and has an auxiliary function. Since then, the mill has been in operation regularly again. Wimmenumer Molen is named after the hamlet Wimmenum, which is situated north of Egmond aan den Hoef.

The history of Buitenplaats Beeckestijn (summer residence Beeckestijn) goes back to the 15th century. Beeckestijn used to be a country house for rich merchants from Amsterdam. In 1742, Jan Jacob Boreel bought Beeckestijn. Of all the residents, he left his mark on the appearance of the estate the most. Since early 2011, Natuurmonumenten has been the manager of the gardens and the park forest. The publicly accessible gardens of Beeckestijn are unique in the Netherlands, because it is the only location where one can simultaneously view two historically different styles. Just behind the manor a geometrically conceived part in the style of the French Baroque and adjacent a more natural English landscape park. Beeckestijn also has so-called utility gardens, such as a vegetable garden, orchard and herb garden. One of these gardens has a serpentine wall on two sides. The Netherlands only has eight of these walls left, two of which are at Beeckestijn. The winding shape retains heat from the sun and ensures that espalier fruit such as peaches, apricots and other exotic fruits can grow here. Garden and park forest are managed by ‘Natuurmonumenten’ - a Dutch society for preservation of nature monuments in the Netherlands.

Buitenplaats Beeckestijn (summer residence Beeckestijn) is an 18th century estate and one of the few entirely intact large country houses, which was created as summer residences for wealthy Amsterdam merchants and regents on the edge of the dunes in Kennemerland. The present building was created from a 17th century manor and had several alterations and extensions. The most extensive expansion took place between 1716 and 1721, commissioned by Jan Trip jr. and Petronella van Hoorn. Among other things the 17th century façade was replaced by a Louis-XIV façade, with chequered pilasters and a richly decorated entrance. For more than two centuries Beeckestijn remained in the ownership of the Boreel family, until it was acquired by the municipality of Velsen in 1952. During WW II the house was seriously damaged. It became uninhabitable and key interior elements disappeared; the restoration was completed in 1969. The manor is now owned and managed by ‘Vereniging Hendrick de Keyser’ - an association for the preservation of historic houses in the Netherlands. Since June 2019 Buitenplaats Beeckestijn is a museum, where one can experience the atmosphere in which the rich merchants of Amsterdam used to live.

Velserbeek is one of the many so called buitenplaatsen (summer residences) west of the city of Haarlem along the inner dunes. Wealthy merchants from Amsterdam built their mansionsin the 16th and 17th centuries. Buitenplaats Velserbeek is dating back to jaar 1544. Originally it was a farmhouse, owned by the regent-family Ramp who lived in nearby Overveen and held governmental positions in Haarlem. In 1639, the homestead was sold to the wealthy Amsterdam merchant Jerimias van Keulen. Van Keulen was very wealthy and had a family of 15 children. He had the homestead extended into a country estate with the present mansion and ornamental gardens. The park was laid out in the French. In the years that followed, Velserbeek had several different owners. From 1781 it was owned by the members of the Goll van Franckenstein family. Until 1832 Velserbeek remained in the possession of this family. The heirs sold the Velserbeek country house to the Van Tuyll van Serooskerken family. Baron Ernst van Tuyll almost immediately commissioned changes to the garden layout. The most important change is the creation of a deer park in front of the mansion, which nowadays still exists. In 1919 Velserbeek was sold to two entrepreneurs, who want to convert the main building into a factory. Eventually, the municipality of Velsen buys the estate: the most beautiful part became a public park, while another part is destined for the construction of villas. Since 1995, Buitenplaats Velserbeek has been owned by a law firm, which has restored the house.

On the 17th of July 2014, the world was shocked by the devastating report that flight MH17, an international passenger flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on its way to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down as it flew over Eastern Ukraine. All innocent 15 crew members and 283 passengers died. The Nationaal Monument MH17 honours the victims of this disaster and keep the memory of them alive, as a symbol of hope, faith and reflection. In the park-like environment you will find 298 trees. Lime trees, ironwood, ash, hawthorns, pines and ornament. The monument consists of a tree ribbon and a memorial. The green ribbon rises from the landscape. On this 298 trees were planted: one for every victim. With each tree you will find the name, age and nationality of the victim. For passengers who travelled together, the same tree species were planted. These ones stand side by side. Ten different tree species have been planted for the passengers. The chosen species also emphasise the diversity of the deceased passengers. For the crew of flight MH17 a separate kind has been chosen: lime trees. These are in front, on the edge of the amphitheater. The heart of the tree ribbon is an amphitheater. Here you will find the memorial. This consists of a wall of rusted corten steel. A stainless steel sculpture has been placed for this purpose: the “iris”. The pupil of the iris is a high-gloss polished surface. Here are the names of the 298 victims engraved. The rust and the transience of the steel symbolize the grief, the iris the memory and the comfort. Seen from above the memorial has the shape of an eye that looks into the sky; a connection between victims and surviving relatives. War seems far away in the Netherlands. Nothing is less true. The knockdown of MH17 is considered an act of war in a conflict that leads back to the Cold War. Now as a violent offense from a hybrid war peace seems to be a plaything of power politics and arbitrariness. With unforgettable suffering as a result. The National Monument MH17 is a recognisable landscape element. The shape and design of the tree ribbon tattoos the surrounding land. A sculpture of 298 trees that demands permanent attention for peace and safety.

The town hall of Weesp was built between 1772 and 1776 and was designed by architect Jacob Otten Husly. Although much smaller, the building is more or less similar to the former town hall of Amsterdam (now Paleis op de Dam ). The neoclassical building was a prestige object and relatively large for the city's population. Distilleries and breweries ensured Weesp's prosperity in those days. The wealthy distillers and brewers had seats in the town government and wanted to show off their wealth to the outside world. The town hall served as an administrative building, but it was also used to administer justice. The dungeons and the vierschaar (a historical term for a tribunal in ther Netherlands) used in the process can still be seen. Today, part of the town hall is used for weddings and other official meetings. In addition, part of the building is used by the local museum of Weesp, with, among other things, a collection of porcelain (in the period 1759-1768, the first porcelain of the Netherlands was produced in Weesp). The town hall of Weesp is a Dutch national monument.

Slot Assumburg (Assumburg Castle) is originally dating back to the 13th century, but it was rebuilt in 1546 by Gerrit van Assendelft. Since then the castle has been only a manor for several noble families. Although it looks very impressive it was - due to thin walls - not suitable for defensive purposes. Slot Assumburg is all about appearances. When it ws built in the mid 16th century the role of castles in the Netherlands as defensive strongholds was over. Castles were still being built, but only as comfortable homes. But to show off his power, status or descent the builder of Slot Assumburg gave the castle the current look. In 1694 Amsterdam regent, merchant and banker Jean Deutz acquired the castle. Besides a huge restoration of the building he also created a wonderful symmetrical baroque garden. In 1729 a copper plate of the garden was made. Between 2001 and 2011 this original copperplate was used by the designer of the current garden. Today, the garden is open for visitors and can be visited free of charge. Since 1867 the castle was abandoned until 1911 and almost ruined. Slot Assumburg became a youth hostel and most probably it is still the most beautiful/remarkable youth hostel of the Netherlands.

Fort Ossenmarkt (Fort Ox Market) in the fortified town of Weesp was built to defend the two banks of the river Vecht, the locks, and the Amsterdam–Hilversum railway with the bridge over the Vecht. The small tower fort is dating back to the year of 1861. Later, a protective wall was erected on the east side and the moat was filled. In 1983-1985, this wall was removed and the moat and bridge were restored to their former glory. After 1815, the fortified town of Weesp formed part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (New Dutch Waterline). In 1892 the town was incorporated into the Defence Line of Amsterdam. A while ago Fort Ossenmarkt was restored. The former engineering site houses a garden shop and the wooden artillery depot - dating back to 1877 - is used as an exhibition space. In addition, the Fort at the Ossenmarkt houses a music school and is home to various associations and offices. The fort is not accessible to the public, but is open to a limited extent on certain occasions. As part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie , Fort Ossenmarkt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Theetuin (Tea Garden) is situated on one of the four bastions of the old fortified town of Weesp. The bastion is called “Bakkerschans” and was built in 1674. It is surrounded by a wall on which stately, old trees are growing. This historical location, an oasis hidden in greenery, is the location of the romantic tea garden. In 1986 it was the first tea garden in the Netherlands was established. It was designed by landscape architects and offers a beautiful model garden with special plants, pots and an attractive tea house (limited opening hours). Meanwhile, the garden has grown into a real paradise where the garden enthusiast will have a great time. The Theetuin is well-known due to its plant combinations, mixtures of perennials, shrubs and especially spring flowering bulbs. The garden is at its best in spring, when thousands of bulbs start to flower, ranging from snow drops to late flowering tulips.

Fort Uitermeer - located on the banks of the river Vecht - is dating back to 1873. The restored tower fort, as well as the historic sluice and part of the old canal were partly brought back to their former glory. Fort Uitermeer’s function was to defend the 's-Gravelandsche Vaart, the road running alongside this canal and the railway line Amsterdam-Hilversum. At the location of the fort the 's-Gravelandse Vaart flows into the river Vecht via a sluice. As early as the 16th century, this sluice was defended by a “sconce (small protective fortification made of earth). In 1672 (known as the ‘disaster year’ in Dutch history) the “sconce” was reinforced and a year later it was replaced by a permanent fort, which was constructed around the sluice. In 1815 the fort became part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (New Dutch Waterline). During World War II Fort Uitermeer was bombed heaviley, causing severe damage. During the Cold War, ammunition depots were put up on the grounds of the fort. In 1959 the fortress lost its function as a defensive structure. The remains of the Fort Uitermeer (not accessible to the public) are an important part of Dutch history. The ruin of the tower is rare because only 10 bombproof towers remain in the Netherlands. As part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie , Fort Uitermeer is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The garden around de Polderhuis is still owned by the municipality of Hollands Kroon, but since 2014 it is managed by a foundation. Since the year of 1982 the garden is yearly trnsformed into a feast for the eyes. In autumn volunteers plant thousands and thousands flower bulbs, which are blooming between early April and mid May. The Poldertuin offers a large variety of springtime flowers like tulips (220 species), daffodils (125 speciees), hyacinths (almost 30 species) and 35 special bulbs and tubers. The garden is also called ‘Little Keukenhof’, although the comparison is not appropriate. Keukenhof is no less than 25 times bigger and just open for eight weeks a year. Poldertuin, is open all year, can be visited free of charge and is a real hidden gem and not very known to tourists.

After the construction of the Anna Paulownapolder an office of the water board was built. This stately home is locally known as Polderhuis . In 1885 the Poldertuin (Polder Garden) around the house was designed by landscape architect Jan David Zocher jr., who also designed the well known Vondelpark in Amsterdam and the garden of Soestdijk Palace. His gardens are characterized by winding paths and water features with bridges. Polderhuis (nowadays privately owned) and Poldertuin were sold to the municipality. The garden is still owned by the municipality of Hollands Kroon, but since 2014 it is managed by a foundation. In autumn volunteers plant thousands and thousands flower bulbs, which are blooming between early April and mid May. The flower bulbs are donated by about hundred flower bulb growers in the region. The Poldertuin with its large variety of springtime flowers like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and special bulbs and tubers is also called ‘Little Keukenhof’ and can be visited free of charge. The garden is a real hidden gem and not very known to tourists.

The Anna Paulownapolder - 5.000 ha - was drained in 1846. Nowadays it is an important horticulture area, with among other things an important flower bulb cultivation. The polder is named after the wife of Dutch king Willem II, Anna Paulowna Romanova of Russia. The new polder became part of the municipality of Zijpe. On August 1, 1870, the polder became its own municipality, Anna Paulowna (since 2012 part of the municipality Hollands Kroon). One of the original houses in the village - a plastered neo-classical mansion dating from 1855 - was extended in 1870 when it became the office of the polder administration. The Polderhuis was given a meeting room and an office. When the water board disappeared, the Polderhuis and Poldertuin were sold to the municipality. The garden is still owned by the municipality. The Polderhuis is prvately owned and inhabited.

The oldest mention of the reformed church in Limmen dates from the year 740, when the dilapidated church was renewed. Around 800 there is talk of - presumably - a wooden church in Limbon, which was owned by the St. Maartenskerk in Utrecht. In the 13th century a tower was built, separate from the existing tuff hall church. A century later, a large brick church with a choir was added and the tower was then built in. The whole building was twice as big as can be seen today. In 1598 the church was restored from the destruction by the Spanish troops during the siege of the city of Alkmaar and became its present form. The last ruins were cleared in 1806, but are still partly visible. The church with its tower - which has a bell dating from 1650 - is a national monument. The last restoration was carried out in the years 2000/2001. The church is located next to the Hortus Bulborum