De Zwarte Boer, Historical inn at Leuvenum crossroads, Netherlands
De Zwarte Boer is an architectural structure at the Leuvenum crossroads in Ermelo, built up over several phases of expansion and renovation. The interior features a 19th-century fireplace decorated with tiles portraying King Willem II and his spouse Anna Paulowna in the main room.
This inn emerged in the early 1600s at a significant junction of trade routes connecting Germany to western Netherlands. The structure expanded over centuries, with a major addition in 1854 that reused bricks from a neighboring building that was torn down.
A painting by artist Beb Kruese hangs on the rear wall and depicts the former House of Leuvenum, connecting the building to local heritage and traditions. The artwork serves as a visual reminder of the place's deeper roots in the community.
Following extensive renovations in 2007 and 2008, the building now operates as a four-star hotel with restaurant services. The historic interior details are accessible to guests, and modern amenities are integrated throughout while preserving the building's original character.
The bricks used when expanding the building in 1854 came from the demolished old House of Leuvenum that once stood on a neighboring plot. This material recycling reveals how local buildings are intertwined and demonstrates practical resource management from that era.
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