Ellert and Brammert Open Air Museum

The open-air museum shows the living and living of residents of Drenthe in the past in various ways. There are 26 objects in the open-air museum. The turf hut occupies a central place here. This is the most primitive housing. The common thread running through the museum shows an increasingly 'modern' habitation. Also present are a toll house, school, café-farm, sawmill, blacksmith's shop, Saxon farm with boiler room, prison, carpentry workshop, church, small house and three exhibition buildings.

The museum is named after the legend of the giants Ellert and Brammert, who now stand at the entrance of the open-air museum.

The Ellertsveld derives its name from the most famous legend in Drenthe, namely that of Ellert and Brammert. Over the years, this folktale has been handed down in different versions, but the core has always remained the same.

Tradition has it that four centuries ago two giants lived here: father and son. They were rough fellows, who had made a subterranean hut on the great moorland, now known by the name of Ellertsveld. From their hut, the two robbers scoured the area. Those who did not urgently need to pass the Ellertsveld did not venture there. From their hole, Ellert and Brammert had stretched wires across the field in all directions. These wires were connected by a bell. If an unsuspecting traveler unwittingly touched one of these wires, the bell would start ringing. Ellert and Brammert immediately set out to beat and rob the traveller with thick clubs. Many merchants fell into the hands of the rapacious duo and when they made it out alive they could still be grateful.

One day, when father and son were strolling through the heath, they noticed a beautiful young girl on the ash tree of the village of Orvelterveen: Marieke. The poor girl was dragged to the den and had to do the homework there for seven years. A disadvantage of having a woman in the house for the robbers was that they could never go out together again. One of them always had to guard Marieke. Once, when father Ellert was alone with Marieke in the den, he ordered her to shave him. Marieke sensed her chance and cut his throat with the razor-sharp razor while shaving. As the giant collapsed, dying, she ran home. When Brammert found out what had happened to his father, he gave chase. He just couldn't catch up with her.

The next morning it was seen that a large axe had stuck in the door which the girl had slammed behind her. Brammert had missed her by a hair's breadth! Marieke and her parents moved to a safer area as soon as possible. And all the other inhabitants of Orvelterveen, who feared Brammert's revenge, also left the village. It didn't take long for the whole village to be moved. It is no longer possible to verify the truth of this primordial story.

The opening period of the park is annually from April to October.

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