Historische aanleg, Soeterbeek bij 8

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Description

The country estate Soeterbeek had seen its heyday. According to the map of 1838-1857, it originally had a much more open character that was largely determined by sight lines towards the farmland and the Dommel. Today the park is much more enclosed, partly due to an increase in afforestation along the Dommel. This afforestation is visible on the map of 1921, partly revised in 1928 (edition 1943) and only arose at the beginning of this century. On earlier maps the land is unforested. The park had, according to the aforementioned map, a landscaped layout, possibly from the construction period of the previous house (1815/1835). The park had on the south side an island with a garden house, which according to map material no longer existed around 1920 (see also Schellart 1972). Also there was from the south a double access road, of which only the western part now still exists in the form of the southern section of the drive. Garden architect Tersteeg added elements to the park, presumably including the rose garden, the path from the house to the service house and the courtyard to the north of the house with retaining walls. (Tersteeg's activities are not documented. He also worked at the country estate Eckart located opposite Soeterbeek, which was connected to Soeterbeek by family ties.)

The entrance to the country estate Soeterbeek is formed by a dam with a culvert, on which there are gate pillars (5). The drive is surfaced with clinker bricks. The lane winds through the gently sloping park towards the house, passing a pond three times by means of an arched bridge (6). The ponds consist of waterways of the Dommel that have been relocated, widened or expanded or are original. The road passes alternately through open and enclosed areas with views of, among other things, the house. The first part of the park consists mainly of woodland with narrow winding paths. Therein are sheds and a garden wall (4). At the latter was formerly a rose and a kitchen garden. The kitchen garden dates from the second half of the nineteenth century (see the map of 1897/1906, where the kitchen garden is shown). The rose garden (which is not shown on the map of 1897/1906) was possibly designed by garden architect Tersteeg. Now there is still a garden vase (10). The former rose garden is visible from the drive via a narrow, straight vista between the trees. Subsequently a service house with garage (3), from where a sandy path leads to the house (see below). Here begins the second, much more open part of the park. The drive finally makes a sharp turn, so that one suddenly finds oneself in the courtyard behind the house. The courtyard was formerly probably provided with a parterre. It is partly surrounded by a low wall. Until around 1928 (see the maps of 1897/1906 and 1921/1928) this was still woodland, now there is a view to the north of the area Stralingen. That is an open arable and pasture landscape with shelterbelt hedges that allow for a stepped vista. At the courtyard stands the unprotected garage, with in the middle a large flower box in the form of a capital (9). From the courtyard runs a curved lane in the direction of an unprotected outbuilding, where a sundial (11) is located. On the way there one passes the 'back entrance' to the park, consisting of a dam with a gate (7). Around the house runs a path. From that path and from the east side of the house one looks between trees towards easterly located arable land. The terrace on the front of the house offers a view of the open park section towards the Dommel and service house. On the terrace are two lead garden vases (8). To the west stands a large group of red beeches. From the path around the house runs a narrow sandy path to the service house. The northernmost part of the country estate consists of open farmland with small fields and shelterbelt hedges. The western boundary is formed by the Dommel, the northern boundary by the shelterbelt hedges of the area called Stralingen. The eastern boundary consists of the sandy path De Rietkuilen and its southern extension, planted with oaks on one side and pollard willows on the other. The southern boundary is formed by the street Soeterbeek, on the estate side planted with oaks. On the country estate there are furthermore among other things acacia, beech and rhododendron.

Valuation

The park layout of the country estate Soeterbeek, created from around 1800 on an older place of residence and reorganised around 1938, is of general importance because of:

- the landscaped park, composed of different open and closed park sections (lawns, copses with winding paths, tree groups), gently sloping, woven around waterways formed by the Dommel and its offshoots; the park has various sight lines to the Dommel, the surrounding farmland and different objects;

- integrity of the park and of the various built components and garden ornaments.