Eerde, Baroque estate in Ommen, Netherlands.
Eerde is a Baroque estate in Ommen featuring a classical castle built in 1715 with a surrounding moat and extensive forest grounds. The property encompasses thousands of hectares of woodland with various ancillary structures integrated throughout this historic landscape.
An original fortress from the 14th century once occupied this site but was destroyed in 1380 by forces of the Archbishop of Utrecht during territorial disputes. The present castle was later rebuilt and has remained in family hands since its reconstruction.
The castle served as a Quaker school from the 1930s through World War II, providing shelter to Jewish children fleeing Nazi persecution. Visitors can still see the rooms where these children lived and studied, giving the estate profound human significance.
The grounds are accessible via marked walking trails that wind through the forests and are easy to navigate. Castle visits require advance booking with certified guides, so plan accordingly before arriving.
The Regge River creates natural water channels through the forest, forming a network of streams that shapes the area's ecosystem. These water systems have been part of the landscape design for centuries and contribute to the special character of the place.
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