IVN Poetry Walk Slotpark Oosterhout

On Sunday 28 September, the nature guides of IVN Mark & Donge will take you on a walk through a beautiful city park with a rich history. For centuries, people have celebrated life in the countryside. Around the year 1300, various noble families settled in Oosterhout. Initially, they lived in simple farmhouses, but over the years these were converted into comfortable noble residences.

Of the original 'manor houses', five have been preserved. These country estates were often surrounded by gardens, orchards, meadows, a garden house, coach house, stable, and sometimes even a dovecote. The wealthy took pride in their estates and immortalised their paradises in prints and texts.

In the 17th century, hofdicht became a popular literary genre. In such poems, the poet takes you as the reader on a walk through the garden, past a wealth of trees and plants. Where these gardens once stood, sits the Oosterhout city park, which has belonged to the municipality since 1920.

In 2012, benches designed by Oosterhout artists were placed. Additionally, you will find various sculptures and monuments in the park, including the Freedom Monument Woman with Child. You will also encounter a summer oak that is no less than 130 years old, among other special tree species.

During the walk, you can enjoy everything that grows and blooms in the park. Occasionally, the guides will let a poet speak about nature. One of them is Petrus Hondius, botanist and one of the first court poets of our country. His words from 1621 form a poetic invitation:  Borrow your nose and borrow your eye. Look closely, and think high.

Registration is possible up until the day of the walk.