Frankendael country estate - Amsterdam

Amsterdam's country estate culture takes off in the 17th century. It starts with the construction of numerous country estates, for example the Beemster, reclaimed in 1612, but also along the banks of the Watergraafsmeer, reclaimed in 1629. In this area, close to the city houses on the ring of canals, wealthy Amsterdam merchants built many courtyards and country estates. Of these, only Frankendael has survived.

Nicolaes van Liebergen was one of the first residents of this homestead. The next owner Isaac Balde acquired the estate in 1695 and named it Frankendael, in honour of the town where his parents had previously found refuge. In fact, his English-born father, Jacob Balde, fled from Flanders, where he was living at the time, to Franckenthall, Germany, because of his Lutheran faith.

The municipality of Amsterdam acquired Huize Frankendael in 1882. Today, it houses a restaurant and can be used for meetings and parties.