Nijenhuis, Manor estate in Diepenheim, Netherlands.
Nijenhuis is a manor estate in the municipality of Hof van Twente with a main building featuring four corner towers, several structures for agricultural operations, an orangery, and a tea house within the gardens. The grounds span extensive open grassland with rows of old oak trees and footpaths for walking.
The estate first appeared in records in 1380 as a holding of the Bishop of Utrecht and received its main building in 1662 based on designs by renowned architect Philips Vingboons. Further modifications occurred in the late 1700s and early 1900s, creating a layered architectural history visible today.
The manor reflects French country house design that shaped estates in the region during the 1600s. The tea house in the gardens shows how aristocratic families in Twente spent their time and welcomed guests for conversation.
The grounds are accessible on foot and by bicycle year-round, with shade from old trees on hot days and open spaces easy to navigate in winter. The private interior spaces are not open to the public, but the outdoor areas invite walking and exploration.
The Schimmelpenninck family has lived here continuously since 1799, beginning with Rutger Jan who served as Grand Pensionary of the Batavian Republic. Two stone gatehouse structures in the courtyard date back to earlier fortified features and show how the estate evolved from a fortified holding into a country residence.
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