Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

202  WESTERN NE THERLANDS

7 Country Estates along VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
the Vecht Practical Information
Road Map C4. Vechtstreek­
Country estate houses, with their summerhouses, museum: Diependaalsedijk 19,
magnificent railings and extensive gardens, can be Maarssen. Tel 0346­554440.
seen threaded along the Vecht, especially between Open May–Sep: 11am–5pm
Wed–Sun; Oct–Apr: 2–5pm
Maarssen and Loenen. They were built in the 17th and Wed–Sun. & 7 ground floor.
18th centuries by wealthy Amsterdam inhabitants who
wanted to escape the noise and stench of the city in the
summer. The estates were status symbols, places where
city-dwellers could devote themselves to hobbies such Goudestein in Maarssen
as tree cultivation, hunting and still-life painting. One of the first country estates in
the Vecht, Goudestein was built
in 1628 by Joan Huijdecoper. The
The chimneys present building, which dates from
were considered 1775, is now used as government
to be decorative offices. The coach house is now a
elements. fascinating pharmacy museum.

Nijenrode
A university has now
been set up in this
castle formerly
belonging to the
Lords of Nijenrode.

The coat of
arms of the
Huijdecoper
family decorates
the façade.
The entrance
has an impressive The house contains
flight of a grand staircase and
stone steps. rooms furnished with
decorative drapes.
One of the rooms
Between Breukelen and is now used for
Loenen the Vecht resembles wedding ceremonies.
an architectural museum. The
country estates (Vechtvliet is
shown here) are surrounded
by established parks and
ornamental outbuildings.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p397 and p410

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