‘Buitenplaatsen bij de Rotte’; new volume on the country houses in the Rotterdam area
‘Buitenplaatsen bij de Rotte’ is the second volume by Dr Robert J. Ligthelm on the country houses once found in present-day Rotterdam. The first volume ‘Kralingse Buitenplaatsen’ has gone into a third edition. Once again, a spectacle never imagined by the reader opens up before us. Varying from castles from the deep Middle Ages to country- and manor houses still being built around 1900. From where the Rotte enters Rotterdam at Terbregge to the city gates, the Hofpoort and the Delftse Poort, we are taken past all the beautiful history that has been here, and unfortunately has almost all disappeared. The three castles that lay here had a clear defensive function, in addition to a residential function for the families that owned them. The country estates were a summer escape from the dirty cities of yesteryear, built by wealthy residents. Apart from stories about these possessors, we encounter their tenants, their workers and servants. Political events from the sixteenth to the twentieth century pass in review, and small stories of ‘human interest’ entertain us. The author presents an exciting hypothesis about the appearance of Lommerrijk House and proves definitively that Crooswijk House was rebuilt once more in the eighteenth century. The book shows that people from different religious backgrounds owned country houses and lived peacefully together.
All this again beautifully illustrated. The first book in this series was awarded the prestigious Ithaka prize from the sKBL and was on the shortlist of four books for the renowned Jacques Dutilh prize, from the Historic Society Roterodamum, for the best book about Rotterdam.
Enjoy the castles and country houses in the old villages of Terbregge, Hillegersberg, Rubroek, Oost-Blommersdijk and Crooswijk. For 2024, the author has planned ‘Buitenplaatsen aan de Rotterdamse Schie’ as the third volume in this series.
For further information about the book contact Dr Robert J. Ligthelmon: rjligthe@xs4all.nl