Villa Betty, 19th century Rijksmonument villa in Oud-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Villa Betty is a 19th-century mansion on nearly one hectare of land in Amsterdam's Oud-West with a tennis court, pond, and coach house behind two green gates. The property sits about 100 meters back from Overtoom street and remains hidden from public view.
The property was built in 1878 for tobacco merchant Petrus Smithuysen and later purchased by Eduard Lehmann, who renamed it after his wife Clara Betty von Hunteln. The name Villa Betty thus originated from this renaming by the new owner.
The interior displays multiple design styles created by different architects: Dutch, Arabic, Chinese, English, and French Louis XVI rooms. Each room reflects different artistic influences and tastes through its decoration and furnishings.
Access to the property is limited since it sits well back from the street and lies concealed behind its entrance gates. Visitors need to know the exact location on Overtoom street, as the position is set back and not immediately obvious from the road.
During World War II, resident Cornelius Ariëns Kappers saved around 200 Jewish people by producing forged documents within the villa. This courageous act made the house a quiet refuge for resistance and humanitarian aid during the occupation.
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