Historische aanleg, Huis Millen bij 2

English translation

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Description

Description

HISTORIC GARDEN AND PARK LAYOUT belonging to the estate Huis Millen. Between two streams, the Geleen Beek and the Rode Beek, lies the core of the fortified stronghold (Chateau à motte). The structure of the layout dates from c.1450 or earlier and is determined by the irregularly-shaped oval castle grounds with moat; this moat formed the outer moat of a ring-moat system, which in the 19th century was filled in, surrounding a motte with tower. Along the moat is a single row of trees as the Topographic Military Map from 1842 shows (recently planted with oak, red beech and ash), which gives the grounds an enclosed character. On the north side there was a broad view over the adjacent meadow, as can be seen on the aerial photograph from c.1950, but this view is now densely planted. The estate was accessible in the 19th century by means of a straight access avenue coming from the village of Millen and standing perpendicular to the motte (see Tranchet map 1804-05). This avenue was placed on German territory by the border correction in 1816 and as a result fell into disuse, but is still recognizable by a single row of oaks. Perpendicular to this stands a second drive with linden trees leading along the Rode Beek between the miller's house and the castle grounds. The current winding drive comes from the western direction, flanked by meadows, running along the south side of the outer moat and with a bend towards the house. The surrounding meadows (the grounds to the west to the flood line and to the north of the motte) are important as a green zone and have belonged to the estate since time immemorial. To the south of the house is a small-scale layout in landscape style, which is presumed to have been carried out around 1827, when the moat on the east side was relocated. The winding paths and irregularly-shaped small meadows are furnished with shrub plantings (magnolia) and tree groupings (many walnut trees), and some specimen trees including a ginkgo and a red beech on a small hill. Within the landscape-style layout also belongs the motte which is emphasized as a romantic and picturesque element by lush planting with acacias and chestnuts. The tower acquired the appearance and function of a lookout tower by the addition of windows on the first storey. The motte with tower has great ornamental and garden-architectural value as a romantic sculptural element. The remaining part of the castle grounds was planted from time immemorial with standard fruit trees (currently horse pasture). Outside the moated castle grounds, on the east side is a large rectangular kitchen garden situated (currently meadow).

Valuation

HISTORIC GARDEN AND PARK LAYOUT belonging to the estate Huis Millen of general importance:

- on account of its age;

- as an important landscape element in an open landscape;

- on account of the cultural-historical and archaeological value of the still well-preserved fifteenth-century moat structure of the castle complex;

- on account of the small-scale nineteenth-century layout in landscape style, in which the tower ruin on the motte is incorporated as a picturesque element;

- on account of the functional-spatial coherence with the other components of the estate.