Contributions of the group " A la découverte du BENELUX // Die BENELUX - Länder entdecken"

Nederland - Wilp, Ijssel river

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 07:04:03 +0000

Mid August 2026, severe drought - heavily impacted by an ongoing dry summer in Europe - and critically low Rhine discharge led to historic low water levels in the IJssel river. These extremely low water levels forced harbor closures, lock restrictions, and temporary pumping interventions along the river.

I took the main photo at the “IJssel Crossing Memorial”, which honours the Canadian soldiers who crossed the IJssel on 11 and 12 April 1945 during Operation Cannonshot.

Nederland - Heerde, Renderklippen

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:26:41 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Renderklippen is a nature reserve, which is characterised by vast stretches of moorland that lie on moraines. These moraines were created during the last ice age. Archaeological excavations have shown that the area was already inhabited as early as 700 BC.

There are several vantage points ranging in height from 25 to 30 metres throughout the undulating landscape, where one can enjoy breathtaking vistas. Because the Renderklippen nature reserve is located far from major cities, it is one of the few places in the Netherlands where it can still be really dark at night.

Nederland - Apeldoorn, Oranjepark

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:40:56 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Oranjepark is the oldest citypark in Apeldoorn and was officially opened on 13 May 1876. The landscape architects, father and son Hoogeweg, were responsible for the design of the park, which was laid out in the English landscape style.

This time, I’ve taken a few photos during the unusual dry period that the Netherlands – and Apeldoorn too – was experiencing during the summer of 2026. The lawns are mostly dried out and brown. Thanks to a daily splash of water, the flowerbeds are still in full bloom.

Nederland - Voorst, Kasteel De Nijenbeek

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 06:21:54 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel De Nijenbeek - a defensive castle on the banks of the river IJssel - was first mentioned in 1266. At that time it was inhabited by knight Theodericus, also called Dirk, Lord of Nijenbeek. Its location on the banks of the river IJssel was very strategic, assuring control over the traffic on the river.

Over the centuries a lot has changed to the castle. The many different owners adapted the building to their own wishes and use. Later in the 18th century De Nijenbeek fell into disrepair, because the owners lived somewhere else and rented out the castle.

In 1945 - at the end of World War II - Kasteel De Nijenbeek was shelled from the eastern bank of the river IJssel by Canadian troops because it was used by the Germans as a lookout post. During the shelling, the tower of the castle lost its 19th century pyramid roof. The castle became more and more a ruin.

In 2016 the ruin was consolidated by a major restoration. The (consolidated) square tower is nowadays the only remaining part of the castle. Kasteel De Nijenbeek has very limited opening hours..

België - Kortrijk, Rozentuin

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 07:10:24 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Rozentuin (Rose Garden) is located in the historic garden of Kasteel 't Hooge. In 1959, a section of the garden was arranged as a rosarium.

The Rozentuin - covering an area of about one hectare - has two sections. The demonstration garden with some 200 hundred rose varieties that have proven to be successful and a historical garden that paints a picture of the rose's evolution through the centuries. The garden also comprises an experimental garden (PiP5), where more than a 100 new varieties of roses from European breeders are planted every year.

België - Kortrijk, Sint-Maartenskerk

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:31:28 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Sint-Maartenskerk (Saint Martin's Church) is the main Roman Catholic church and one of the principal gothic monuments of Kortrijk. The church is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours.

The current hall church with its three naves was built between 1390 and 1466, following the destruction of the first church. After a fire in 1862, a section was rebuilt in neo-gothic style. The 83 meters high tower in Brabant gothic style is a striking feature of the Kortrijk skyline. Its wooden spire accommodates a full-sized carillon with 49 bells.

Sint-Maartenskerk holds many artworks by Flemish masters.

België - Kortrijk, Broeltorens

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:13:51 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Broeltorens (Broel Towers) - constructed from lime- and sandstone - are dating back around the year 1400. The southern Speytorre (to the right of the main photo) was constructed in 1385 to control traffic on the river Leie. The northerly Inghelburghtorre is dating back to 1415. The tower served as a weapons depot and was equipped for the use of artillery. The Broelbrug originally dates back to 1385. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.The towers were built by the Burgundian dukes and are remnants of the old city fortifications.

Broel' refers to bruul, which means a generally marshy or fallow piece of land.

België - Kortrijk, Sint-Antoniuskerk

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:07:58 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kortrijk experienced significant population growth in the 19th-century, necessitating new parish churches. The Passionist Fathers were establishing a monastery, a school, and the Sint-Antoniuskerk (Saint Anthony Church) in 1873. The church - built in the Neo-Romanesque style- is a much visited place of pilgrimage. The Sint-Antoniuskerk is well known for its colourful murals.

Brother Isidore was a professed religious from the Passionists. He had fragile health when he arrived in the area in 1912; after a year as a cook, he was given the less demanding task of porter. He tried to help everyone who came to him during World War I, earning the nickname ‘Brother Good’. Beatified brother Isidore died in 1916; his tomb is located in a side chapel

België - Kortrijk, Lourdesgrot

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:40:39 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Lourdesgrot - next to the Sint Antoniuskerk - was consecrated in 1908, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the first apparition of Mary in Lourdes. The grotto was built by the Passionist friars on a location with a small chapel. The site soon became an important and busy place for Marian devotion in Kortrijk.

The grotto is known for the many small ex-voto tiles on its walls. These tiles testify to answered prayers and gratitude.

België - Kortrijk, Sint-Elisabethbegijnhof

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:51:50 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Sint-Elisabeth Begijnhof (Saint Elizabeth Beguinage) was founded in 1238 by Countess Joanna of Constantinople. The site largely retains its medieval structure with 41 pocket-sized, whitewashed, 17th century houses around a central green courtyard. The gothic St. Matthew’s Chapel dates back to 1464 and was rebuilt in baroque style in the 18th century.

A beguinage is a community of laywomen known as “beguines”. Beguines were devout women who lived a religious and contemplative life without taking formal vows, allowing them to maintain personal property and freedom.

The Begijnhof Kortrijk, along with other Flemish beguinages, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beguinage has an intimate atmosphere and is an oasis of calm in the middle of Kortrijk's city centre.

Nederland - Amersfoort, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Toren

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:00:28 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Onze LieveVrouwetoren (nicknamed Lange Jan), is a church tower in the city of Amersfoort. The building is more than 98 meters tall and reaches high above the inner city. It is one of the most eye-catching monuments in town and the third highest church tower in the Netherlands. The church that belonged to the tower was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in the 18th century.

Nederland - Amersfoort, Hofje De Armen de Poth

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:35:37 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Hofje De Armen de Poth is a historic medieval courtyard, dating back to the 14thcentury. It is one of the largest hofjes of the Netherlands. The almshouses - a number of them were used for housing plague sufferers - are built around the St. Rochus Chapel.

Almost all of the 48 almshouses which are now part of ‘De Poth’ were built at the end of the 19th century when the court took on its present shape. Nowadays Hofje De Armen de Poth is still accommodating elderly inhabitants of Amersfoort with a modest income for a small fee.

Nederland - Botanische Tuinen Universiteit Utrecht

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:07:55 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Botanische Tuinen Universiteit Utrecht (Utrecht University Botanic Gardens) are the largest academic botanical garden - with a size of about 10 hectare - in the Netherlands. The garden is located on Utrecht Science Park and surrounded by (modern) buildings of the university.

The botanic garden has a spectacular setting including a large rock garden built on the bunkers of an old fort. It has a collection of around 10.000 plant species.

The Botanic Gardens originate back to 1639, when the first botanical garden for medicinal purposes was founded in the city centre of Utrecht. In 1963 it came to the current location at Fort Hoofddijk, once part of the New Dutch Waterline. Between 1964 and 1974, over 2.100 tons of Ardennes rock created one of Europe’s largest rock gardens on and around the fort.

Nederland - Amsterdam, NDSM-werf

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:17:15 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The NDSM-werf - is a former shipyard on the banks of the river IJ in Amsterdam North. The shipbuilding area has existed for over a century and has transformed from an industrial shipyard into a vibrant hub of makers, studios, exhibition spaces, cafés, and (creative) businesses.

Nederland - Workum, Waag

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:47:50 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

In 1399 Workum received city rights and with that the right of mint and measure. In the 15th century, a weigh house was built. The weighmaster supervised the correct weights and measures. The Waag was mainly used for trading butter and cheese.

In 1649, the weigh house was in very poor condition. The city council therefore decided to replace the it with a new building. A year later, a fine new weigh house was built in the center of the city on the Merk; the present building. The building has a hipped roof with a stepped gable dormer on each side. There are also coats of arms in the facades, including the municipal coat of arms with the year 1650.

In 1923, the Waag was restored. The lower floor served as a police station and the upper floor became a library and public reading room. After a new restoration in 2007, the building is used by the Tourist Information Centre and Museum Warkums Erfskip.

Nederland - Amersfoort, Koppelpoort

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 06:57:49 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Koppelpoort is a medieval gate - part of the second city wall of Amersfoort - which was built between 1380 and 1425. It combines a land and water-gate, which is unique in the Netherlands. The gate was attacked in 1427 during the siege of the city, but was repelled. The name Koppelpoort refers to an area outside the gate, which was called De Koppel. Travellers could be allowed or refused to enter through this combined gate, even if they were travelling over water. In addition, the water levels in the inner city could be regulated with it.

The Koppelpoort did get its current appearance during the restoration by well known Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers in 1885 and 1886. The latest restoration was completed in 1996. Nowadays the Koppelpoort is one of the eye catchers of Amersfoort.

Nederland - Baarn, Kasteel Groeneveld

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:49:41 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Groeneveld in Baarn is an 18th-century country estate and one of the finest examples of a country house from that era. Since the 17th century, regents and merchants from Dutch cities came to their country houses to enjoy the good life.

The ‘castle’ was built in 1703 by Marcus Mamuchet and is considered being one of the finest examples of a country house from the Rococo style period. It was built in the tradition of 17th- and 18th-century estates that were intended as summer houses for wealthy city dwellers, mainly from Amsterdam. Groeneveld was probably built on the foundations of a farmstead. Initially, the house consisted only of the central part of the main building and the two outbuildings: coach house and orangery. The side wings date from around 1760.

Kasteel Groeneveld was privately owned until 1940. Nowadays it is owned and managed by
Staatsbosbeheer (a Dutch governmental organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves).

Nederland - Oostzaan, Het Twiske

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:55:56 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Het Twiske is a recreational area north of Amsterdam, nearby the village of Oostzaan. Originally, it was an area of moorland where peat was extracted. In the 1960s, sand was extracted from beneath the moorland to build a motorway. Afterwards, the sand extraction lakes and the surrounding land were developed into a recreational area covering 650 hectares. The largest lake - Stooterplas (main image) - is up to 35 metres deep.

One third of Het Twiske consists of water and offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, diving, surfing and sailing. For nature lovers, it is a place for cycling, hiking and horse riding and in a varied landscape.

Nederland - Bolsward, stadhuis

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:03:57 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The stadhuis (city hall) of Bolsward is one of the most beautiful buildings of the province of Friesland. The richly decorated building was built between 1614 and 1617 in a Frisian mannerism style (late Renaissance).

Once the municipality of Bolsward became included in the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân in 2011, the city hall lost its traditional function. The building nowadays has a new function as museum and cultural center.

Nederland - Egmond aan Zee, Wimmenummerduinen

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:56:34 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The Wimmenummerduinen (Dunes of Wimmenum) are located between the coastal villages of Egmond aan Zee and Bergen aan Zee.

The inhabitants of Egmond aan Zee - so called “derpers” (villagers) - still call the dune area Duinen van Six. In 1679, Jan Six - a regent and writer descended from a wealthy family - bought the area around the village of Wimmenum. Six belonged to the in-crowd of Amsterdam and is friends with Rembrandt van Rijn. A portrait the painter painted of him is world-famous today. The dune area was the family's fenced-off hunting domain until it was sold to the of provincial water supply company of the province of North Holland (PWN) in 1992.This company has opened the site to visitors.

The Wimmenummerduinen are characterized by an open dune landscape with several dune lakes, wet valleys and drifting dune tops. Horses and highlands graze the dunes to keep the landscape open. It is considered one of the most beautiful stretches of untouched dunes in the province of North Holland.