Beneath our feet lies the oldest public park in the Netherlands: the Haarlemmerhout. This green space is more than just trees. It is a place steeped in history. The Haarlemmerhout has seen centuries unfold.
Let’s step back in time to 1560. Imagine a map displaying the Haarlemmerhout. It already had its characteristic form. Despite being burned by the Spaniards during the siege of Haarlem, it was replanted. The Spanjaardslaan still exists today. It reminds us of that event.
Fast forward to 1760. Jan van Vorel designed a long vista through the eastern part of the park. This vista still offers a stunning view of Villa Welgelegen. This shows how carefully the park has been preserved.
The Haarlemmerhout is special. It was never locked by a gate. The park was redesigned in 1760. It was planted in the fashionable English style. This design welcomed public access. Before this redesign, the park was common ground. Farm animals grazed here. People gathered fire kindling. The Haarlemmerhout transformed into a recreational space. It became a place for all people.
For a time, the southern end of the Haarlemmerhout was part of Heemstede. Haarlem annexed this land in 1927. Back then, Heemstede did not tax beer and wine in public taverns. Drinking in Heemstede taverns within the Haarlemmerhout became very popular. This caused an argument between Haarlem and Heemstede. The conflict escalated to the high court of Mechelen. In 1539, Simon Meeuszoon created a special map. This map resolved the border dispute. Haarlem needed the extra income.
Today, the Haarlemmerhout offers many attractions. You can find a monument to Laurens Janszoon Coster. Haarlemers once believed he invented the printing press. There is also the Hildebrand Monument. It features characters from the Dutch classic Camera Obscura.
De Kleine Hout is also located here. It is part of the Haarlemmerhout. De Kleine Hout features a deer park, a children’s farm, and a café. The deer park was established in 1828. The children’s farm, Kinderboederij De Houthoeve, was set up in 1967. It is the biggest children’s farm in Haarlem.
The Haarlemmerhout hosts many events. Art exhibitions, concerts, and festivals occur in warmer months. Keep an eye out for the wildlife. Hares, hedgehogs, stoats, and water voles live here.
Take a moment to appreciate the serenity. The Haarlemmerhout has been a place of recreation for centuries. It has evolved and adapted. Yet, it remains a vital part of Haarlem. It is a place where history and nature intertwine. The Haarlemmerhout invites us to connect with the past. It also encourages us to enjoy the present.