Harderwijk, Putten, Ermelo

Just next to the white country house of Staverden estate, a statue of a large white peacock proudly overlooks the estate. This somewhat stately national monument with long feathers fits right in with the neat castle garden that stretches out in front of it and almost seems to have been created for it. In honour of white peacocks, which have been kept here since the 14th century, an effigy of this graceful bird has also been placed on the roof of the manor house.

Just a few kilometres away, the large wooden sculptures along the cycle path in the Spielderbos almost blend into their natural surroundings. The forest both inspired and provided the material for the works of art. A huge old tree stump has been transformed into the face of the mythological Medusa with all the carved snakes as hair. Nearby are also three wooden statues of inebriated monks. According to an old legend, there used to be a monastery nearby where a lot of drinking and dark parties were held. During one Christmas night, the entire monastery is said to have sunk into the ground, leaving a deep hole. This Solse hole is in reality a large clay pit in the middle of the forest.

As you cycle into Putten from the forest, the place's connection with the Veluwe is striking in its public artworks. The coat of arms and logo of the municipality of Gelderland features a deer, and it is precisely this animal that you encounter twice in pictorial form along the way: first metres high on a roundabout and a little later just over life-size right in front of the town hall.

Just past neighbouring Ermelo, the built-up area carefully gives way again to the beautiful park-like grounds of care institution 's Heeren Loo and you cycle criss-cross between wide rhododendron bushes and tall age-old trees. This in turn forms a beautiful, natural backdrop for artist John Spek's six-metre-high metal menace Octa Folio: the abstract sculpture with eight long, sprawling metal blades almost forms a natural part of the landscaped park.

Before the route returns along farm roads and forest paths, you first cycle along the banks of the Wolderwijd in Harderwijk, where some imposing works of art need precisely water as a context. Like the 14-metre-hanse beacon that proudly overlooks the harbour of the old Hanseatic city. Even more fitting is the huge sculpture of a World War II plane that appears to plunge into the lake with its wing broken. This monument was made in memory of the 117 crew members of allied aircraft who lost their lives in or near Harderwijk between the war years.

Somewhat more hidden on rocks among the bushes is a statue of a huge crocodile waiting for prey and not far from it, a faithful bronze dog waits patiently for you right behind the Vischpoort. Thus, in each case, the artwork itself, the story behind it and the appropriate environment in which it is placed determine the overall image.


This Premium cycle route was compiled by our editor: Wieger Favier.