Frankendael is Amsterdam’s only remaining 17th-century country estate. The romantic park has two historic gardens – a period garden and a landscape garden – as well as a sunbathing area and marsh. In the middle of the park is the imposing Huize Frankendael (‘Frankendael House’) where cultural events are regularly organized. Slow Food restaurant Merkelbach is located in the right coach house of Huize Frankendael.
Huize Frankendael is a cultural hotspot for business and culture in Amsterdam. The complex comprises a brasserie, culture barn, music salon, high-tech boardroom, art room and a lush green garden with a bright terrace. The Huize Frankendael hosts various exhibitions, workshops, presentations, kids craft days, wedding ceremonies, scavenger hunts, films, inspirational meetings and informal theatrical performances. An intimate living room style atmosphere provides all the right ingredients for real contact and good discussion.
As Amsterdam rapidly grew from the 16th to early 18th century, the real estate in the city became so expensive, that rich people who wanted to enjoy a bigger property had to move further from the capital. The Park Frankendael (7 acres) in East Amsterdam, was originally one of these wealthy estates. The entrance to the park with an old ornamented gate is at the Middenweg, less than one mile (1300m) from the Tropenmuseum, driving out of the city. The beautiful old land house Frankendael (built in 1659) is visible from the street – it is one of the few of these estates remaining in Amsterdam
Style and Landscape gardensFrankendael Park contains two historical gardens, both carefully restored at the expense of the municipality and opened in summer of 2004 for the public – the Style and the Landscape gardens.
The Style Garden located directly behind the land house, has been created in the Regency style around 1730. It has been carefully restored following old prints and more recent drawings made in 1942 for his book about the Amsterdam gardens, by the landscape architect J.T.P. Bijhouwer.
The Landscape Garden adjoining to the estate presents diverse Dutch landscapes, from different provinces, recreated here with a great care.
The rest of the park also showcases different garden design. There is a part in an English free style, with a small ruin on the island, and there is a newly created modern part which is more more spacious and parklike.Huize Frankendael – the landhouse FrankendaelThe main body of the houseStill under renovation, the historical Huize Frankendael has been rebuilt into the cultural and business complex. It includes a restaurant, exhibition rooms and a music space. Behind the house, the terrace opening to the Style Garden has been created. The Huize Frankendael hosts art shows, seminars, small theatre shows as well as workshops for kids.
Frankendael House is one of the very few remaining stately homes in Amsterdam. It is situated in a reclamation called Watergraafsmeer. After this lake was reclaimed in the 17th century, the dutch Golden Age, and turned into fertile polder land, many rich Amsterdam merchants built their country seats here. Frankendael house is the only house that is still left today. Now, the surrounding park is open to the public. The house and its garden will be restored soon. The house itself is worth a visit to the Frankendael Park. Although modernized inside, from the outside it retained its historical character.
Two sculptures dating from 1714 representing Roman gods – Bacchus (symbolizing autumn) en Ceres (symbolizing summer) by a sculptor Ignatius van Logteren stand in front of the house, another smaller sculpture stands in the garden.
It is located in the historical Park Frankendael, which is a lovely place to visit for a relaxing stroll with the family. There’s a playground to be discovered and also a little ruin on a small island. The restaurant in the old coach house of Frankendael House, Restaurant Merkelbach, is open 7 days a week. With its Slow Food filosofy the restaurant is a good place for breakfast or lunch combined with a visit to the park — especially in summer when the terrace at the back of the house is open.
The famous restaurant The Kas is also located in Park Frankendael, in a huge greenhouse dating from 1926, and is a great place for dinner, with or without children.
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