Cities in the Netherlands
North Sea Region
The Story of Bloemendaal
A former titled domain, the village - part of the municipality of the same name but the town hall is in nearby Overveen - also was known in the middle of the last century as Aalbertsberg after one of the many estates in the area. At that time Overveen (then known also as Tetterode and the largest of the two) had 1030 inhabitants, Bloemendaal 590. The 1999 municipality has 17,000 people and also includes Aerdenhout and Vogelenzang. Together they form one of the most affluent communities in the Netherlands.
Known for a scala of varied scenery, Bloemendaal is home to - among many others - the dune ‘t Kopje, famed as a school outing destination; National Park Kennemer-duinen and the Thijsse Hof, a five-acre garden with aviaries. Area school outings and daytrips also like to take in Kraantje Lek, the four centuries old restaurant at the foot of the dune Blinkert in Overveen. The ruins of the Brederode Castle lie on the road to Santpoort.
Famous sons: Dick Cassee (1931) painter; Ir. Sytze Koolhoven (1886) aeronautics engineer.