Mariëndaal

English translation

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Description

Description

HISTORICAL GARDEN AND PARK LAYOUT. The estate Mariëndaal developed from the convent Mariënborn, founded in 1392. In 1735 the lands were sold in the parcels 'Klein Mariëndaal' and 'Groot Mariëndaal'. Johan Brantsen, a member of a prominent Arnhem regent family, became owner of Groot-Mariëndaal. The portion of Groot Mariëndaal between the Amsterdamseweg and the Utrechtseweg with the meadow area south of the Utrechtseweg now forms the current estate Mariëndaal.

Johan Brantsen had a country house built on the land. The central area of Mariëndaal was subsequently further developed through tree planting and transformation of heathland into agricultural lands. In 1791 the estate passed by inheritance into the hands of Arnhem burgomeister mr. Jacob Nicolaas Otto van Eck. He had the house enlarged and made further improvements to the estate. On the 'Topographic Map of the Veluwe and Veluwezoom' by M.J. de Man from 1807 it can be seen that a star forest with eight rays was laid out centrally on the estate. The centre of the star lay at the highest point of the estate, from where there was a broad outlook. Presumably one of the lanes was oriented towards the tower of the Grote or Eusebiuskerk of Arnhem, built in 1450.

By the construction of the railway line between Amsterdam and Arnhem (opened in 1845), the estate was physically divided in two. The new situation was recorded on the Topographic and Military Map from 1850-1858. To keep the access to the estate via the Middellaan open, a large stone gate was constructed in the dyke body on which the railway line lies.

In 1857 Gerard van Eck, son of Jacob van Eck, had the house enlarged and remodelled to its present appearance. In conjunction with this, the park was also embellished. From this time dates an undated and unsigned 'Plan of the Estate Mariëndaal', which was largely executed. Due to the existing relief, as a result of the location of a 'dry-dale' from the ice age, the terrain possessed, despite the many straight lanes, the characteristics of a landscape park. This effect, which was popular at that time, was strengthened by the laying out of winding paths around the water features and on the slopes. The star forest thereby lost some of its strict form while a Belvedere was placed at its centre point. The romantic spot opposite the house was also called the 'Swiss Section'. In 1865 a beech leaf corridor some 400 metres long was planted. This 'Green Bedstead' is the longest berceau of the Netherlands. The changes are visible on the Chromatic Topographic Map surveyed in the period 1865-1871 and on the 'Topographic Map of the Municipality of Arnhem' by P.K.P.J. van Sloten from 1874. Van Eck also had the service dwellings built in the park section south of the railway line, including a striking porter's combined gardener's dwelling at the drive on the Utrechtseweg (1861; after war damage largely altered and rebuilt in 1948; not protected).

In 1939, on the initiative of an anonymous donor, the 'Christ's Cupola' was placed at the location of the original Belvedere, designed by architect J. Kropholler.

In the ground plan of the park layout, north-south running straight lanes (chiefly 18th century) determine the main layout of the estate, with alternating open meadows/fields and wooded parcels between them. The Middellaan, along which the Slijpbeek flows, discharging into several ponds, forms the longest north-south axis with, on the north side, a marked height difference due to the uneven terrain. This provides broad views in a southerly direction. On the south side the lane ends at the Utrechtseweg. Due to the double row of beech trees and the connection to the viaduct under the railway, the entrance to the estate here has extra grandeur. The main house, situated in a hollow, is located parallel to, but set back from, the Middellaan. Partly built on the northern slope is the orangery with adjoining garden wall. Of the protected objects on the estate, only the ice house lies in the immediate vicinity. In the corner with the southward-bending Schelmseweg are several rectangular agricultural parcels against the northern slope of the ridge. Parallel to the east-west running Schelmseweg is the Tafellaan where the farm Loobergen is located.

Opposite the main house lies a leafy wood in which the field chapel is located, accessible via the reconstructed zigzag path on the slope. To the north, steeply sloping fields adjoin this, bounded on the east side by the Diependaalselaan.

The elongated strip on the west side of the estate is formed mainly by coniferous forest with winding paths. Scattered here are the service dwelling combined summer house, the converted tea pavilion and a small farm. The triangular area between the Amsterdamseweg and the Schelmseweg is used largely as agricultural land and tree nursery. The lanes, originally consisting of sand paths, are partly surfaced, partly semi-surfaced and unsurfaced.

The main structure of the estate consists mainly of lanes bordered by beeches, stream valleys, parcels of forest and agricultural lands. These are wedged between four north-south running long axes. The Middellaan divides the estate into two halves with the eastern part characterised by a number of parallel lanes ending on the Middellaan.

On the estate, which is characterised by considerable height differences in the terrain, water has always played a prominent role. Mills have existed along the (spring) streams since the Middle Ages. At the kidney-shaped pond, located on the east side of the drive that connects to the Utrechtseweg, a paper mill stood until the 19th century. Later a pump installation was connected there which brought the water to a reservoir on the hill from which the lower-lying fountains were served. After the mills fell into disuse, a small waterfall was romantically reconstructed from field stones. The path leading to the small waterfall is marked with large erratic stones. Via a culvert under the railway embankment, necessary since the construction of the railway line, water is supplied from above from the stream. The culvert is built of masonry and provided with a lintel. The sides project partly obliquely placed under a slope into the railway embankment. Further north is another pond with two small waterfalls likewise built up with field stones. The small waterfalls also provide the opportunity to cross the stream. On the west side an original brick stair leads from the direction of the Middellaan down to water level.

For drinking water supply, drilling of metre-deep wells was necessary. Several pumps at farms scattered across the estate are still in use.

Opposite the back façade of the SERVICE DWELLING COMBINED SUMMER HOUSE (10) is a garden with pond, characterised by evergreen shrubs and brick walls with wall dams on which decorative elements are placed.

Evaluation

The HISTORICAL GARDEN AND PARK LAYOUT as part of the historical country seat 'Mariëndaal' is of general importance:

- as a representative example of a 19th-century landscape park layout with a well-preserved 18th-century formal main structure, which was expanded and further developed over time;

- due to the romantic and functional elements such as small waterfalls, pond features and culvert;

- due to the significance of the layout for the history of garden and landscape architecture;

- due to the ensemble value in relation to the other components of the historical country seat 'Mariëndaal'.