Jaap van 't Veen's photos

The so called Kop van Noord-Holland is the northern part of the province of North Holland. This area is the largest continuous bulb area in the world. The soil - mostly sand - is extremely suitable for growing bulbs. Bulbs grow well because the winters are relatively warm and the spring is cool. Because of this favourable climate, diseases are less common. The Kop van Noord-Holland is the largest bulb area in the Netherlands. Colourful blooming bulb fields reach as far as the eye can see. From mid-March to mid-May the region turns into one big sea of flowers. It starts with the crocus season, then daffodils and hyacinths appear and finally the tulips show their striking colours from mid-April until the beginning of May. The Kop van Noord-Holland is our favourite region in the Netherlands for visiting flowering bulb fields. It is perhaps less known than the area around the famous Keukenhof , but definitely more attractive to us. In addition to these endless bulb fields, the region features a couple of very interesting sights: Hortus Bulborum in Limmen with hundreds of different species of blooming bulbs and the Poldertuin in Anna Paulowna, a public park with more than 200.000 bulbs.

Surrounded by the largest bulb flower fields of the world lies the stunningly colourful Tulpen Pluktuin (main image). This Tulip Picking Garden offers more than 150 varieties of tulips. It is possible to stroll through the garden, take pictures and pick your own tulips. Next tot to the Picking Garden lies the so called Showtuin . During springtime - when everything is in bloom - visitors can clearly see what beautiful types of bulb flowers there are. They can be ordered at the shop of the Tulpen Pluktuin (PiPs).

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 offers a large variety of springtime flowers like tulips (220 species), daffodils (125 species), hyacinths (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.

The Zaanse Schans is a historic neighbourhood in the Zaanstad municipality, which was established by relocating wooden buildings and industrial mills from the Zaan district. To preserve as much as possible original of these timber buildings, in 1949 a special neighbourhood was set up to relocate the houses. From the middle of the 20th century the plans were elaborated. From 1963 many wooden buildings were moved to the Kalverpolder , where the Zaanse Schans was created. Although set up as a 'normal' residential neighbourhood, the area attracted more and more tourists. Between 1970 and 1974, the plan was expanded to include historic buildings and several replicas suitable for catering and tourism. Some of the buildings are now housing museums, small craft businesses and shops. In 1976, the Zaanse Schans became a tourist destination. Nowadays, it is one of the most visited tourist places in the Netherlands with more than two million visitors per year. The Zaanse Schans comprises approx. 30 inhabited houses, 15 commercial buildings/shops and 12 windmills . The neighbourhood has about 75 inhabitants. In 2010 the Zaanse Schans was designated as a protected village sight. The neighbourhood was named after the sconce, which “Diederik Sonoy”, governor in the service of “Willem van Oranje”, had built in the Eighty Years’ War to stop the Spanish troops.

The Zaanse Schans is a residential neighbourhood in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. It is best known for its collection of well-preserved historic houses and windmills. The Zaanse Schans is a unique and one of the most visited places in the Netherlands, with green wooden houses, windmills, barns and typical Dutch crafts. From 1961 to 1974 old buildings from all over the region were relocated using lowboy trailers to the area. Zaanse Schans derived its name from the river Zaan and its original function as sconce (“schans” in Dutch) against the Spanish troops during the Eighty Years' War. The area around the Zaanse Schans , called the Zaanstreek , once was the largest industrial zone in Western Europe. During the 18th and 19th century heyday it used to have more than 600 windmills; 245 were sawing mills and 160 oil mills. Built for industrial functions, they were used for grinding grain, making wood for shipbuilding, pressing oil from seeds, makling paper from hemp and a lot of cocoa was also produced in the Zaan region. Starting in the 1960’s, these historical mills and other threatened and antique buildings were moved to the Zaanse Schans to create a collection and to preserve them. Nowadays there are 12 windmills on the <and four more in the vicinity. Most of the mills were moved in the last century, some stood already at their current location along the river Zaan and some have been completely rebuilt according to the original plans. Most of the mills are owned by the Vereniging de Zaansche Molen , which is also responsible for the maintenance and operation of the mills. Seven fully operative windmills and the Molenmuseum (Mill Museum) can be visited.

Herborn is a historic town and had its first documentary mention in 1048. It was granted the privilege of a city in 1251 by the Counts of Nassau. The city belonged to the County Nassau-Dillenburg. Herborn's town centre belongs to the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany with about 400 half-timbered houses. Timber from nearby Westerwald was used for their construction. Typical of Herborn (and the region) is the alternation between open half-timbering and slate-clad façades.

The Wilhelmsturm located on a hill above the town, nowadays is Dillenburg’s main landmark. The tower was built between 1872 and 1875 on the former upper courtyard of Dillenburg Castle. That medieval castle was erected in 1130, but destroyed during the Seven Years War in 1760. The castle was the family ancestral seat of the House of Nassau. The Wilhelmsturm is 41 meters high and overlooks the town of Dillenburg. The tower was constructed as a permanent memorial of Willem van Oranje (William of Ornage or William the Silent) who was born in the castle. Nowadays it houses the Orange-Nassau Museum. Willem van Oranje was the leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish occupation during the Eighty Years’ War (1568 -1648), which resulted in the formal independence of the Dutch Republic. Next to the tower stands a monument in honour of Dillenburgs greatest son. This statue of William of Orange was erected to mark the 125th anniversary of the Wilhelmsturm and unveiled in the year 2000 by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

The Paleispark (Palace Park) is a part of Kroondomein Het Loo (Het Loo Royal Estate). With an area of 650 hectare the park is ideal for strolling and walking. It lies adjacent to “Het Loo Palace” and around Castle Het Oude Loo . Traditionally this park was for the relaxation of the royal residents of the palace. and their guests. The origins of the park can be traced back to stadtholder Willem III, who purchased hunting lodge Het Oude Loo in 1684 together with 200 hectare land. “Het Loo Royal Estate” was also very important for Queen Wilhelmina. She purchased many acres of land and donated this to the State in 1959, retaining the rights of usage for the reigning monarch. This explains the name for the whole area: “Het Loo Royal Estate”. The palace park is only a small part of “Het Loo Royal Estate”. The park features ponds, a tea pavilion (main image and PiP1), which was often used by Queen Wilhelmina, a bath-house (PiP2), a royal horse cemetery, an old shooting range, a hunting lodge and several follies. The park is open - against a small fee - the whole year round, the part around Het Oude Loo is open for visitors only during the months April and May.

Het Lankheet is an estate south of Haaksbergen. The family estate is approx. 500 hectares in size and has an alternation of forest, agriculture, heathland and fens. The history of this estate goes back 800 years, but they also look ahead - well into the 21st century. There are various contemporary landscape projects on display in the areas of water purification, energy extraction, multifunctional climate forests, timber cultivation, youth education and youth care, art and theater. A notable part of the waterpark in Het Lankheet are the “Kidney Pools”: two kidney-shaped, interlocking ponds like yin and yang: symbols of purification, but also of balanced proportions. A path of stepping stones allows people to walk through the two ponds. Apart from being a place of meditation, the “Kidney Pools” are also a place of entertainment for young and old.

The earliest known history of Kasteel Hackfort (Hackfort Castle) is dating back to the year of 1324, when the Lord of Bronckhorst commissioned the building of a castle. In 1392 ‘House Hacforden’ was nothing more than just a residential tower and a moat. In 1586 the castle was destroyed by the Spanish troops during the Eighty Year's War (the Dutch Independent War). After the liberation of the region by Prince Maurits van Oranje, the castle was rebuilt in 1598 by Borchard van Westerholt. In 1788, Kasteel Hackfort underwent substantial renovations. The old gate house and outbuildings were demolished and the canals were filled in. The castle was transformed into an 18th-century manor house. Nowadays only the two thick cylindrical towers are reminders of the (former) castle. The castle is surrounded by forests and meadows and includes Hackfort Watermill . The castle remained for centuries in the possession of the family Van Westerholt. When the last Baroness Westerholt of Hackfort died in1981, Kasteel Hackfort and estate were donated to Natuurmonumenten (a Dutch society for preservation of nature monuments).

The Watermolen Hackfort (Hackfort Watermill) is located on the estate Hackfort , close to the castle of the same name. The undershot watermill was first mentioned in the year 1442, while the current square stone building was built around 1700. The mill is equipped with a water wheel with blades and is powered by water from the Hackfortse Beek. The water wheel drives millstones to grind grain. The water mill also supplies electricity to the electricity network. In 1952 the mill was shut down due to the poor condition of the wheel and building. At that time the stream also contained too little water to power the mill. In 1981, the estate (with castle and mill) came into the hands of the Natuurmonumenten (a Dutch society for preservation of nature monuments) and was refurbished. After the water board had ensured that sufficient water flowed through the Hackfortse Beek, a new water wheel was installed in 1998. Since that moment the mill has been in use. Volunteer millers are sawing wood and grinding grain for cattle feed on hydropower. On Saturdays and on special occasions the mill is open to visitors.

The oldest written mention of the Oostendorper watermolen (Oostendorp watermill) - a corn and oil mill on the Buurserbeek - is found in a deed from 1487. The mill was then located about 1 km downstream. In 1547-1548, the double mill was rebuilt at its current location. It also received its current name then, which comes from Johan ten Oostendorp who was the miller in 1547. During the Eighty Years' War (1566 - 1648), the water mill was destroyed. In 1633, Willem Ripperda tot Weldam received permission to build the Oostendorper mill on the current site. Two years later, the mills were back in operation. During the next two centuries, they passed from one owner to another several times, by inheritance or by sale. In 1946, a flood of water washed away the oil mill; it had been rebuilt four years later. In the late 1980s, the Oostendorper watermolen was thoroughly restored and made millable again. Volunteer millers regularly grind grain and crush oil. The municipality of Haaksbergen owns the mill. It is the oldest double water mill in the Netherlands.

Over the past centuries Havezathe de Kamp (havezathe = manor or fortified (farm) house) has been rebuilt and renovated several times. In 1782 the stepped gables disappeared and in 1871 the canal was filled in and “De Kamp” lost its castle-like appearance. “Huis De Camp” - as it was originally called - was probably built in the 13th century. In 1469 Johan Van Barmentloo was the first resident whose name we know. In 1553 the house came into the hands of the Gansneb family called Tengnagel. Several generations continued to live there for almost two hundred years. In 1636, Otto Gansneb had Havezathe de Kamp raised and rebuilt into the building as it looks today. The manor was sold in 1741 and subsequently had various owners. In 1977 the house came into the possession of the municipality of Neede (later Berkelland). Between 1983 and 1989 the manor was restored, the canal was dug out again and the coach house was rebuilt. In 2014, “De Kamp” came into the possession of private owners After the re-excavation of the moat and the most recent alterations and renovations, Havezathe de Kamp has regained its authentic appearance. Nowadays it is used for business/private meetings and events.

Pinetum de Belten is an arboretum with only conifers. This pinetum was founded by Squire Mr. P.R Feith in 1961, when he started collecting pine-trees from all over the world. Pinetum de Belten is grown from the start to 1400 different types of pine trees. Due to lack of space for so many trees in 1992 the decision was made at around 700 trees to be grubbed up. Sub-tropical trees are removed out of the collection.Nowadayas there are more than 1000 different kinds of trees. Species must be able to grow in this environment. A single exception is made for unique items of the collection. Since 1974 the pinetum is managed by a foundation. The main goal is to maintain and care for the collection of pine trees. Pinetum de Belten is free to visit, although a voluntary donation is very welcome.

Limburg - developed around a castle from the late 7th century - was first mentioned in documents in the year of 910 as "Lintpurc", when the St. George monastery was founded by Konrad Kurzbold. The town became stone ramparts in the 12th and following centuries. The construction of a new church belonging to St. George monastery started in 1200. Around that time a new castle was built south of the new church. The plague ravaged Limburg in 1344. The town then underwent a steady decline until the early 19th century, when the rise of the Duchy of Nassau (1806-1866) gave a new lease of life to Limburg. In 1827, Limburg became the seat of a diocese and in 1886 it was made district capital. Nowadays Limburg's old town offers a maze of cobble stoned streets, lined with crooked half-timbered houses some dating back to the 13th century, but most of them are ‘just’ from the 17th or 18th century.

The Limburger Dom (Limburg Cathedral) also known as Georgsdom (George's Cathedral> is one of the best preserved late Romanesque style buildings in Germany. It is unknown when the first church was built on a hill above the Lahn river. Archaeological discoveries have revealed traces of a 9th-century church building in the area of the current chapel. It was probably built in Merovingian times as a castle and the chapel added in the early 9th century. In 910 AD, Count Konrad Kurzbold founded a collegiate chapter of 18 canons, who lived on the hilltop site. The original castle chapel was torn down and a three-aisled church was built in its place; its foundations have been found beneath the present floor. The construction of current cathedral is dated to 1180-90. The consecration was performed in 1235 by the archbishop of Trier. Most probably the cathedral was built in four stages. In reference to the seven sacraments, the cathedral also has seven towers. The interior was destroyed by Swedish soldiers during the Thirty Years War (1618-48) and reconstructed in a late Baroque style in 1749. The church became the rank of cathedral in 1827 when the bishopric of Limburg was founded. In- and exterior have been renovated and restored acouple of times; the last renovation was in the 1980s.

The Basilica, which towers on the Martinsberg, is the landmark of Weingarten and the largest baroque church north of the Alps and the second largest church in Germany after the Cathedral of Cologne. It is sometimes called the "Swabian St. Peter's", designed to be one-half the size of the Vatican’s St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Basilica of Weingarten - dedicated to the patron saint of Weingarten, Saint Martin - is an impressive structure that dominates the skyline of Weingarten. The Basilica offers a magnificent baroque architecture and is considered one of the most immaculate examples of baroque buildings in Germany. The interior of the Basilica is as splendid as the exterior, with stunning woodwork and sculptures adorning every corner of the church. The present church was built between 1715 and 1724 in the Italian-German baroque style from architectural plans by Franz Beer.

The parish church Mariä Opferung (also called Meine liebe Frau von Jerusalem ) is dating back to the year 1471, visible in the vestibule of the church. In 1493, a gothic-style church was inaugurated and a cemetery was built. The church was extended in the years1684 and 1720. The tower was raised in 1844 and the pitched roof replaced by a dome. In 1889 the dilapidated church including the tower was demolished and a new, built in the neo-Romanesque style. The ‘new’ church was completed in 1894 and the inauguration took place on June 12 of that year. Martin von Feuerstein, a well-known Munich professor, created the splendid paintings in casein technique in 1903/1904 with his master class. Twenty years later the Mariä Opferung became a new altar.