VechtenSteyn

Vecht and Steyn, Zandweg 1

As you can see, this white house with green cupper roof has a very American appearance. It was built in 1934, by Architect Wymstra who designed it after the example of a house in South Carolina, USA. The first house in this spot was owned bij Cornelia Commelin, daughter of the famous botanist Johannes Commelin, lived here at the end of the 17th century. Together with Johan Huydecoper van Maarsseveen, he was the founder of the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam. Through their network of people working for the East en West Dutch Indian Company, they obtained (medicinal) plants and seeds from all over the world, including from the region around Brooklyn.

In 1730, Hester Ranst (1671-1750) became the owner of Vechtenstein. Her husband Jan Jacobsz Hinloopen (1668-1698) had been director of the VOC, director of the Society of Suriname (1694) and mayor of Amsterdam (1695). Part of the original 17th-century garden is still open every year as a Stinzen plant garden: De Commelinhof.

Route: Follow the road to Oud Zuylen. After the Swaenevecht hotel, take the driveway left to Slot Zuylen

ZichtopdeVechtstreek