Top 20 Natural Monuments around Zoeterwoude

The cultivation and trade of extremely valuable tulips began in the Netherlands after Carolus Clusius brought tulips from Turkey to Europe in 1593. During the Dutch Golden Age, tulip bulbs became an object of speculation. In the 1630s, prices for tulip bulbs rose to comparatively extremely high levels before the market collapsed abruptly in early February 1637 (= the first relatively well-documented speculative bubble in economic history). (Source: Wikipedia) THE TULIP: It came to Europe from Persia and Turkey in the 16th century. The Netherlands, especially Leiden, became the center of tulip cultivation. The "Semper Augustus" became particularly valuable because a virus caused it to have unique red and white flame patterns on its petals. During the tulip mania around 1643, it was recorded as the most expensive tulip in the world (Collection of the Norton Simon Art Foundation, USA). It is unknown who bred the Semper Augustus, as it is a historical, now extinct specimen. However, it became a symbol of the Dutch "tulip mania" (nl = tulpenwoede, tulpengekte) in the 17th century. At its peak in 1637, one bulb of this variety fetched 10,000 guilders, exactly the price of a house on a canal. In 1624, there were only 12 of this variety. (Source: Book "Leidener Runde und Rembrandt Route" by Leiden City Marketing)

🌿🌱After the founding of Leiden University in 1575, it seemed sensible to establish a "hortus medicus," a herb garden where medical students could study medicinal plants. This marked the beginning of a development that continued at the LUMC Academic Hospital and the Bio Science Park. The "Hortus Botanicus Leiden" was established in 1590, making it the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. 🌷Carolus CLUSIUS, a Hortulanus from Vienna, was the first director of the garden in 1593. He oversaw its design and cultivated the first large tulip collections in Europe. These form the basis of the nearby Keukenhof in Lisse, the "Garden of Leiden." ☘In the 19th century, Philipp Franz von SIEBOLD introduced around 700 previously unknown plants from Japan and China. (Source: Book "Leidener Runde and Rembrandt Route" by the Leiden City Marketing)

I was there early yesterday evening. The weather was beautiful and NO ONE was there. It's a shame because this is such a lovely place.

What is particularly striking here is the simplicity and austerity of the memorial site.

Children's Tree Forest The National Children's Tree Forest is located in the Bentwoud. In this forest, family members plant trees in memory of their newborn or deceased children. The forest consists of 5 tree rooms with Italian poplars and hornbeams and a central tree circle with 12 white poplars. The Children's Tree Forest is an initiative of the National Tree Planting Day Foundation and Staatsbosbeheer made 20 hectares available for its construction. For more information: Kinderbomenbos.nl Source and more information: www.staatsbosbeheer.nk

Children's Tree Forest The National Children's Tree Forest is located in the Bentwoud. In this forest, family members plant trees in memory of their newborn or deceased children. The forest consists of 5 tree rooms with Italian poplars and hornbeams and a central tree circle with 12 white poplars. The Children's Tree Forest is an initiative of the National Tree Planting Day Foundation and Staatsbosbeheer made 20 hectares available for the construction. For more information: Kinderbomenbos.nl Source: www.staatsbosbeheer.nl

Nice flora and fauna, the park/estate plus castle offer a special beautiful atmosphere.

After the foundation of Leiden University in 1575, it was deemed desirable to create a 'hortus medicus': a garden in which medical students could study medicinal plants. The start of a development that has continued in the Academic Hospital LUMC and the Bio Science Park. Hortus Botanicus Leiden was founded in 1590, making it the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands.