This is a virtual walk through the city Wageningen, based on the capitulation freedom tour, as found on RouteYou, but heavily adapted.
It includes images, poetry, quotes and information about the peace and nature highlights that this city holds, brought to you by the Bertha von Suttner Peace Institute.
Walk this virtual route from the comfort of your mobile phone!
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Twice in WWII, in 1940 and in 1944, Wageningen was the scene of serious fighting. In both cases, the Belmonte estate was hit. Wageningen UR bought the estate in 1951 in order to expand the botanical garden De Dreijen.
We start Part 2 at the
a sunken lane that forms the end of the old route from Lunteren along Ede, Bennekom and Wageningen to the Lexkesveer on the Nederrijn. It was formed because this prehistoric route had to descend the 'Wageningse Berg' to the river.
a little further down the road is the
Arthur Rimbaud (1870)
As translated by Oliver Bernard: Arthur Rimbaud, Collected Poems (1962)
Next to the typical Dutch landscape you can enjoy an enormous biodiversity here. In winter, the rugged meadows occasionally flood and become inaccessible. In the warmer months you will find special plants, rare mushrooms and red-list birds.
At the end of the Holleweg you have an amazing view of the
The building constructed in 1920-1922 was designed by Cornelis Jouke Blaauw in the same style as two other laboratories in Wageningen.
Back up the Wageningse Berg is the
This was the Laboratory for Plant Physiology before the building on the previous page. Built in 1919-1922 and also designed by C. J. Blaauw.
Close by we find the
the former experimental garden of the university with remains of the city and castle wall, ancient majestic trees and the idyllic city moat.
On our way to the next stop we cross the
the physical endpoint of the Normandy-Netherlands cycling route, that runs from Utah Beach to Bastogne in Belgium, a length of of 1147 kilometers. The longest war memorial and has been extended to the Netherlands with the end point being Wageningen.
Translated (2020) exerpts from Liberté by Paul Éluart (1942)
The villa stands on the foundations of what was once the 16th century castle of Wageningen. Remains of the castle, such as the castle wall and the recently restored brewing cellar, can be seen in and next to the museum. In a permanent exhibit the museum displays the history of the city and it’s castle. The history of Wageningen during the occupation can be seen in the exhibition ‘Peace comes to Wageningen 1945’.
The borne stands next to
Although Wageningen has had city rights since 1263, it is not clear where the city council was housed in the first centuries. In the 17th century, the 'Schutteryenhuys' was purchased, renovated and put into use as a town hall. It has been renovated several times: The statue of Lady Justice dates from 1722 and the current landing from 1754.
We re-enter the city center at the
On January 9th, 1943, two members of the resistance stole the population register from the town hall.
This act of defiance was
the first in a series of similar acts during the war in the Netherlands. Because
of this, a lot of Dutch people were saved from the tyranny of the occupier.
At the new entrance is this
symbolizing the international Wageningen student who flies around the world to spread knowledge. The birds also represent the dove of peace, because peace was signed in Wageningen. The female figure transmits her love, because peace and freedom are inherent in love for each other and for the world.
Across the square stands the
unveiled on May 5th in 1987 by her majesty Queen Beatrix. It commemorates all those who fought, suffered and prayed in WWII: Countrymen and allies, and to pay tribute to all soldiers, to the merchant navy, the resistance and to all who have made an effort for freedom.
Inside the Grote Kerk you can see the
In memory of the Jewish fellow citizens from Wageningen and surroundings who were deported and murdered by the German occupiers during the 1940-1945.
The Gate of Life shows people who stay connected to the community.
'Levenspoort' Jewish Monument
Translation of the Hebrew and Dutch inscription on the monument
Quote by Yetty Elzas
Artist of the Gate of Life
Translated from Dutch
a stainless steel sculpture in the shape of a water lily with twelve petals. One is missing, indicating the corruption of what was once perfect. The sculpture is placed on four natural stones with an inscription of the names of eleven Wageningen soldiers who died in the former Dutch East Indies.
Originally a simple wooden cross placed "In grateful memory of all who lost their lives for the fatherland, 3-5-1946". In 1970 it was replaced by the current monument. Nowadays it is the end of the silent journey during the commemoration of the dead that is held annually on May 4th.
The route ends at the
All images used in this part of the Peace and Nature Highlights were either made by R. Verhoeff or distributed under the Creative Commons license.
National Liberation Window
- Pim van Tend (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 NL)
All images edited with grainy film B03 in Snapseed.
All poetry included is used with permission of the author or from the pucblic domain.
Make sure to check out our The Hague Peace and Nature Trail as well!