Ekenstein

Ekenstein Estate
Ekenstein (1648) is one of the two borgen that were built on the road along the Damsterdiep. The other is the Rusthoven from 1686 located next to Ekenstein. Both deposits are also referred to as country houses.

Ekenstein was founded by the doctor and later mayor of Groningen Johan Eeck (sr.) and his wife Johanna Bernards from Farmsum. In 1772 the deposit was expanded and provided with a moat. In 1827, the park was laid out in English landscape style - after the romantic fashion of the time with round shapes and winding paths - by landscape architect Lucas Pieters Roodbaard. The farm of the estate was located in the Schathoes. Ekenstein has had a somewhat neo-Gothic appearance since 1870, using parts of demolished borgen. In the library came stained glass windows from various Groningen churches.

In the first half of the twentieth century the deposit fell into disrepair, but in 1946 Ekenstein was purchased by the municipality of Appingedam. The park was refurbished and there was a heron reserve and recreational facilities, such as a deer camp and a petting zoo. In 1957, the deposit and the associated Schathoes, in which a restaurant was located, were put into use. Today, Ekenstein is a hotel, restaurant and conference centre. A modern extension in a completely different style has been added to the original deposit.

HAAS