Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Bunnik

The river Kromme Rijn (Crooked Rhine) flows from Wijk bij Duurstede to Utrecht and is 28 kilometres long. The river with its amny bends is the artery of Utrecht and supplies water to the Oudegracht and the canals. Normally, seven cubic metres of water per second pass through Amelisweerd estate (Bunnik). When it rains heavily, this can increase to as much as twelve cubic metres. Rainwater then flows from the Utrechtse Heuvelrug (Utrecht Hill Ridge) to the Kromme Rijn via various ditches. Until 1930, the Kromme Rijn was the main transport artery for goods and people between Wijk bij Duurstede and Utrecht. Where the provincial road now runs, there was previously only a muddy cart track. The boats were pulled by people. Until 1870, the journey between Wijk bij Duurstede and Utrecht took about six hours.

Around the year 1200, Rhijnauwen Castle (a real fortress with a moat and a drawbridge) stood on the site of Huis Rhijnauwen (Manor Rhijnauwen). The castle was destroyed by the French in 1672. The current building was built around 1830. In 1919, the estate was purchased by the municipality of Utrecht from its last private owner. Huis Rhijnauwen - located on the right bank of the river Kromme Rijn - has been used as a youth hostel since 1933, making it the oldest in the Netherlands.

Landhuis Oud Amelisweerd (Manor Oud Amelisweerd) was built in 1770 as a summer residence commissioned by Gerard Godard Taets van Amerongen. He had a bridge built over the river Kromme Rijn and transformed the estate into the park we see today. Because the country house has never been intensively inhabited, many original elements have been preserved.The layout, floors, doors and ceilings have remained unchanged since 1770. This originality, together with the 18th and 19th century Chinese and Dutch wallpaper that is still present, makes Oud Amelisweerd unique. In later history, the country house had various owners, including King Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the Bosch van Drakestein family and, from 1951, the municipality of Utrecht. Today - being a National Monument - it houses a museum with exhibitions on art, science and history.

Landhuis Nieuw Amelisweerd (Country house New Amelisweerd) was built around 1700 and was one of the most imposing country houses in the Netherlands at the time. Nieuw-Amelisweerd dates back to a medieval knight's court. The house was renovated between 1684 and 1707, commissioned by Hendrik baron van Utenhove. Another low floor was added later in the 18th century. Around 1860, the house was plastered white and extended by two wings. The house is surrounded by a park forest, in which woodlands, open meadows and meandering water features alternate, surrounds the house. Today, it is divided into appartments and is still inhabited.