Holiday apartment in Vreeland: History, Water and Culture
Accommodation in Vreeland
Vreeland combines local history, sacred architecture, craftsmanship, art and water-based experiences. The town emerged from 1255 onwards near Kasteel Vredelant. The sharp former bend of the Vecht, within which the castle had been built, was cut off in the 15th century. This created the straight section of the river that now flows through Vreeland. The former grounds of Kasteel Vredelant are now a meadow and an archaeological monument beside the provincial road at the corner of what are now Raadhuislaan and Kleizuwe.
Churches and history in the village
The Grote Kerk is named Sint Nicolaaskerk and is the oldest building in the village of Vreeland. The Sint Nicolaaskerk is also used for concerts. The Gereformeerde Kerk stands at Nigtevechtseweg 1; it was rebuilt in 1906 after a fire on 26 November 1905. Its architecture is designed in the style of Berlage, while the geometric interior follows the Art Nouveau style. This places different historical periods in close proximity within the village landscape.
Mill, walking tour and historic festivals
Korenmolen De Ruiter is a smock mill dating from 1776 that was relocated and rebuilt in 1911. It is open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. when the flag is flying; millers offer guided tours. The “Vroeger en Nu” walking tour follows an approximately 3-kilometre route through the historic village and past panels displaying historical photographs. The approximately 3-kilometre route can be planned as a walk in its own right; visiting the mill is dependent on it being Saturday and the flag being flown.
Events also add their own distinctive touches. The Historisch Festival in Vreeland takes place every two years in August. More than 1,000 historic vehicles, along with traditional crafts, a parts market and demonstrations, are presented. The annual Kunstronde takes visitors through the Vecht and Plassen area along the studios of 30 artists during the Whitsun weekend; five professional artists from Vreeland take part. For culture enthusiasts, this means there is a biennial event featuring vehicles and crafts as well as an annual event along artists’ studios in the calendar.
Walks and waterways
For a walk, the Vredelantsepad offers a seasonal particularity: from 15 March to 15 June, the path is closed because of the breeding season of meadow birds. On the Vecht, you can use locks from Vreeland to connect boat trips along circular routes between the Vecht and the lakes. Two boat rental companies from Vreeland have their moorings at the landing stage near Greif.
Cheese and farm ice cream from De Willigen
A tour of the cheese dairy at De Willigen can be booked by appointment. The farm produces its own cheese and farm ice cream, which are sold in the farm shop. The cheese dairy tour takes place by appointment; cheese and farm ice cream are sold in the farm’s farm shop.
Further destinations: Nieuwersluis, Loenen aan de Vecht.
More about Loenen.
