Jaap van 't Veen's photos

Kasteel Renswoude (Renswoude Castle), formerly called Borchwal , is a castle and knight's manor and estate nearby the village of Renswoude. The first house probably dates from the late 14th century. Perhaps the name refers to a borgwal (circular rampart) that surrounded the castle. During the Dutch 'Golden Age' - in 1654 – the original house was demolished by order of Johan van Reede and replaced by the current country house in Dutch-classicist style. It was probably built on the medieval foundations. The castle has a special design, which gives it a double appearance. The white plastered back gives the building a real country-house appearance, while the front with its towers is more reminiscent of a castle. The facade of the main building is dominated by the large tower in the middle with a corner tower protruding on either side. Kasteel Renswoude is surrounded by a park, which is open to the public. Nowadays the castle is divided into several apartments where some members of the castle owners' family reside.

Fort Honswijk , originally called Fort Willem II, is one of the most impressive forts of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (New Dutch Waterline: a line of defensive works using water throughout the western part of Holland) which is part of this 200-kilometre long UNESCO World heritage Site. Construction of the tower fortress along the river Lek began in 1841. The tower had three floors with an open artillery battery on the roof. The fort was completed in 1848. In the 1880s, the fort was extensively modified and the top floor was demolished. Fort Honswijk was used during the mobilisation in World War I. In 1935, the fort was briefly used as a concentration camp. It was the first concentration camp in the Netherlands. Dutch soldiers were based there during the 1939/1940 mobilisation. Until 2012, the fort was used by the Ministry of Defence. In September 2016, the municipality of Houten became the owner of the fort and it was restored.

Nowadays the Hervormde kerk (Reformed Church) - originally named Cathrijnekerk consists of a 19th-century nave and a detached, 15th-century tower. The oldest mention of a church dates back to 1395. The brick tower dates back to the second half of the 15th century and is built in late-Gothic style. The construction was plagued by flooding from the river Linge, which regularly washed away the soil from underneath the tower. The builders tried to correct this problem half way up, which only caused it to lean to one side. In the 18th century, the upper part of the tower was demolished to prevent the it from toppling over all-together. The rest of the church was also demolished after it had been badly damaged by a hurricane in 1674. It was replaced by the current Reformed Church in 1844. The remaining tower is 17.5 metres high and still consists of two sections. The top of the tower is tilted 115 cm off-centre. Its angle is in fact almost similar to that of its famous Italian counterpart, the “leaning tower of Pisa”. In the tiny churchyard one of the graves belongs to “Cornelia Pisa”. Cornelia’s name and the tower’s crooked appearance have contributed to the tower´s nickname as the scheve toren van Pisa te Acquoy (leaning tower of Pisa in Acquoy).

Slot Loevestein (Loevestein Castle), or officially Museum Slot Loevestein , is one of the most well-known castles of the Netherlands. The castle was built by the knight Dirk Loef of Horne (hence "Loef's stein" (stone) house) between 1357 and 1368. Around 1575 it was expanded to a larger fortress surrounded by earthen fortifications with two (later three) stone bastions, two moats, an arsenal, and barracks for a commander and soldiers. The castle was also integrated into the Hollandic Water Line. From 1614 on Slot Loevestein was used as a state prison. In 1619 a famous Dutch jurist, humanist, lawyer and poet “Hugo de Groot”, was imprisoned in the castle together with his wife and daughter to serve a life term sentence. In 1621 however he managed to escape from the castle by hiding in a big wooden bookcase, which was being brought out of the castle. In the 19th century the castle was incorporated into a new and enlarged earthwork fortress, which made the castle an important stronghold in the New Dutch Waterline (a line of defensive works using water throughout the western part of Holland) and is part of this 200-kilometer long UNESCO World heritage Site. During all these works the bailey of the castle was torn down, the sole remnant is the round tower which was used as a powder magazine. Loevestein Castle lost its military function in 1952. Nowadays Slot Loevestein is used as a medieval museum and function centre.

Sint-Alexiusbegijnhof (St. Alexius Beguinage) is an oasis of quietness in the heart of Dendermonde. It has 61 houses around a green trapezium-shaped courtyard with a chapel in the middle. The beguinage was built in 1288 and has been occupied ever since. At one time two hundred and fifty beguines, members of a religious sisterhood, lived here; the last died in 1975. Her former home houses a museum of folklore. To keep the memory of the beguines alive, one small house has been furnished as an authentic beguine's home. Since the year of 1998 the Sint-Alexiusbegijnhof is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After Belgium became independent in 1830, the fear of a European conflict or invasion remained. Because Belgium had no noteworthy natural defense, it was opted not to defend the whole country, but to opt for a 'National Redoubt'. For strategic, political and economic reasons, the city of Antwerp was chosen to become that National Redoubt. In 1859 the Belgian government decided to defend Antwerp by building a new rampart around the city, called the 'Big Rampart', after a plan of the military engineer Capt. Henri Alexis Brialmont. It consisted of 15 km long earthen rampart with 19 gates around the city. It also had a ring of 8, almost identical, brick forts. These forts were built almost 2.5 km outside the city, at 2 km from each other. They had to protect the city from enemy fire. Every fort was about 30 hectares and consisted of a central reduit, caponiers, platforms and earthen walls for artillery, all surrounded by a wide moat. Although building the rampart and forts was a massive and very expensive undertaking, it was finished in 1864. In 1907 the rampart and forts were modernized. The rampart was demolished in 1960. The forts are now more commonly known as the “Brialmont Forts”. Fort 4 in Mortsel is one of the seven remaining “Brialmont Forts”; it is made from brick with sandstone decorations. Between 1909 and 1911 a gun turret was built in Fort 4, which was later strengthened with concrete. During WW II the German Army occupied this fort and built several barracks. After the war it was used by the Belgian Army up until 2000.

The history of Arboretum Kalmthout goes back as far as 1856, when the Antwerp dendrologist Charles Van Geert started a proving ground in Kalmthout for his nursery in Antwerp. It remained a nursery until 1952, when the brothers Georges and Robert de Belder bought the site to create their private botanical garden there. Under their leadership Arboretum Kalmthout grew into one of the world's most prestigious botanic collections. They introduced hundreds of new plants, which came from friends and growers all over the world. They collected seeds in the wild, and also selected a number of new cultivars. In addition to collecting new plants, increasing importance was given to scientific and educational aspects. The garden grew into one of the most valuable collections of woody plants in Europe. In 1986 Antwerp Provincial Authority purchased the site and the property has been expanded and now measures over 33 acres The independent non-profit organisation “Arboretum Kalmthout” retained full responsibility for management, upkeep, and operation. Jelena de Belder – the wife of Robert - was a big fan of Cyclamen, the tuberous plant from the forests of her homeland Slovenia. She planted very many of them in the garden since the 1980s. During our visit in September, we took a walk along the Cyclamen-trail with many so-called autumn cyclamen; sometimes a few together and in other places whole carpets of flowers.

Kevelaer is one of the most famous and largest Marian pilgrimage sites in Germany. Probably the most important date for the history of the city is June 1, 1642. Just before Christmas 1641, at the crossroads of the old trade routes Amsterdam-Cologne and Münster-Brussels, the Geldrian merchant Hendrick Busman heard three times the mysterious cry: "On this spot you shall build me a little chapel!".Triggered by these events, he made the decision to heed the call and to built a shrine on that location. The Kerzenkapelle (Candle Chapel) is the oldest pilgrimage church in Kevelaer, which is why most processions still take place here today. The number of coats of arms, the abundance of candle offerings, windows and signs of thanks document the old tradition of many processions and the liveliness of the pilgrimage. More than 300 candles from the various pilgrim groups are placed here during the pilgrimage season, showing the connection with Mary of those who have long since returned home. More than 100 candles burn every day during the Marian Praise.

Kevelaer is one of the most famous and largest Marian pilgrimage sites in Germany. Probably the most important date for the history of the city is June 1, 1642. Just before Christmas 1641, at the crossroads of the old trade routes Amsterdam-Cologne and Münster-Brussels, the Geldrian merchant Hendrick Busman heard three times the mysterious cry: "On this spot you shall build me a little chapel!".Triggered by these events, he made the decision to heed the call and to built a shrine on that location. The shrine, later Chapel of Mercy , became a very popular pilgrimage site. When it couldn’t any longer accommodate the numerous pilgrims the Marienbasilika (Basilica of Mary) was built. The neo-Gothic church building was built between 1858 and 1864, whre the larger holy masses are celebrated. In 1923, the pilgrimage church was elevated to the status of a Papal Basilica. Around the turn of the century, the exceptionally colorful painting of the transept and the choir followed. The organ of the Marienbasilika , with its 135 registers, is the largest German-Romantic organ in the world. The 90 meter high tower of the church dates from 1884.

Kevelaer is one of the most famous and largest Marian pilgrimage sites in Germany. Probably the most important date for the history of the city is June 1, 1642. Just before Christmas 1641, at the crossroads of the old trade routes Amsterdam-Cologne and Münster-Brussels, the Geldrian merchant Hendrick Busman heard three times the mysterious cry: "On this spot you shall build me a little chapel".Triggered by these events, he made the decision to heed the call and to built a shrine on that location. The chapel was consecrated and on 1 June 1642, the Sunday after Assumption of Mary, the print was displayed in it, and the chapel became such a popular destination for pilgrims that a church was built for them between 1643 and 1645. The little chapel was replaced in 1654 with a larger one, the current Gnadenkapelle (Chapel of Mercy or Chapel of Grace), which still houses the miraculous image “Consolatrix Afflictorum”. The hexagonal domed building is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in north-western Europe and has drawn pilgrims to Kevealer from all over the world for more than 360 years.

A “hofje” is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. Dordrecht has several “hofjes”. Arend Maartenshof was founded in 1625 by Arend Maartenszoon in an attempt to shake off his bad reputation in the city. The entrance is through a lavishly decorated renaissance gate. Atround a courtyard with centuries old trees and a well are 38 houses built, which were destined for poverty-stricken women and widows of soldiers. Since the 1980s, admission rules for the cottages have been relaxed. But two rules of the old founder stand: residents must be of impeccable conduct and they must lovingly care for the living environment. The municipality of Dordrecht bought the Arend Maartenshof at the end of the 20th century and carried out a complete renovation.

Huis Van Gijn was the residence - built in 1729 - of the banker and avid collector Simon van Gijn, who lived here from 1864 until his death in 1922. He left the house and most of his collections to the Vereniging Oud-Dordrecht (Old Dordrecht Society). His wanted to make his collections publicly accessible and for his home to be converted into a museum, maintaining the interior in its original state as much as possible. Since 1925 Huis Van Gijn has been open to the public, allowing visitors to experience upper class living during the nineteenth-century. Nowadays the museum offers a wide variety of exhibits, ranging from paintings and prints, arms and ships to furniture, silverware and ceramics. The attic holds a unique collection of 19th-century toys. His collection was merged with the collection of the Vereniging Oud-Dordrecht and is constantly being expanded.

Windmill De Prins van Oranje (The Prince of Orange) is named after prins Willem van Oranje - Father of the Nation - who married Anna van Buren. The Counts of Buren were the owners of this mill from 1716 to 1795. The current tower mill had at least two predecessora on the city walls of Buren; the first of which was destroyed by fire in 1575. A new mill was built in 1577, which was replaced by the current stone mill in 1716 due to its dilapidatedness. In 1911 these mill also burned down ans was rebuilt and heightened. In 1974, the five-storey tower mill was fully restored, with new internal machinery. It has a stage, which is almost nine meters above ground level. De Prins van Oranje is still working as a flour mill and is listed as a Dutch national heritage site.

The kubuswoningen (cube house), also called stilt or tree houses, are a design of architect Piet Blom. He wanted to create a kind of village in the city of Rotterdam, where he saw the houses as trees and the entire complex as a forest. This principle also explains the name Blaakse Bos . The cubes are tilted, so that three sides face the ground and three face the sky. The cube houses were built between 1982 and 1984. The complex consists of 38 residential and 13 commercial properties. On the promenade between the cube houses there are small-scale businesses, shops, a school and a play area for children.

Jachtslot Mookerheide (Hunting lodge Mookerheide) was commissioned by the wealthy Nijmegen banker Jan J. Luden van Heumen and designed on the highest point of the Mookerheide estate. The lodge was designed by two architects from Nijmegen in a very richly and exuberantly decorated Jugendstil style. In June 1940, the Germans seized this beautiful hunting lodge and turned it into the country retreat for the feared Waffen SS. Himmler himself is said to have visited on a couple of occasions. In September 1944, the hunting lodge and its estate were taken over by the Americans as a temporary prisoner-of-war camp. For 30 years, the main building was a hotel-restaurant. In 1985 Jachtslot Mookerheide and the estate are owned by Natuurmonumenten (a society for preservation of nature monuments in the Netherlands) and recently have been restored. Since 2001 it is designated a protected national Dutch monument.

Kasteeltuinen Arcen (Arcen Castle Gardens) is considered being one of the most varied flower and plant parks in Europe: 32 hectares full of scents and colours, unique gardens, historical parks and the 17th century Arcen Castle. Kasteeltuinen Arcen has more than 15 unique gardens, situated around a historic country house, with a 17th century castle. Among them are the large rosarium with its rose gardens, the shady Lommerrijk , the mountain garden with its unique stone formations and waterfalls, the Italian garden, the Mediterenean garden with its typical olive trees and the oldest olive tree in the Netherlands, the Asian gardens with a Thai fishing hut, the rhododendron garden and a begonia peacock.

The double moated Kasteel Arcen Arcen Castle was built in the 17th century by order of the Dukes of Gelre. The current castle was built on the remains of a previous castle, which in turn was built on the remains of the very first castle ‘Huys den Kamp’. The current castle was built in the baroque period. Baroque features include lavish forms and expressions of power and the pursuit of grandeur. The building lost its symmetry due to a fire in the 19th century, in which the left wing was lost. This part of the building was never rebuilt. The castle's last occupant, Professor Deusser left the castle in 1931. The rooms of the ground floor are furnished in historical style and give an impression to earlier times when the castle was still inhabited. The current castle is in good condition since it is part of the Kasteeltuinen Arcen (Castle Gardens of Arcen).

Windmill ‘Rijn en Lek’ is dating back to 1659, when it was built on top of the - only remaining - medieval city gate of the town, the Leuterpoort. In the beginning it was used as a bark mill, but around 1820 it became a flourmill, which it still is. The mill stands proudly above the gate on the dike and is the only mill in the Netherlands on top of a city gate. The ‘Rijn en Lek’ is often confused with the windmill painted by Ruisdael, called ‘The windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede’, which stood a few blocks away. The mill got its name ‘Rijn en Lek’ due to the fact that the river Rhine changes it name into Lek River downstream from Wijk bij Duurstede.