More about Hof van Twente – English

Hof van Twente

The best kept secret in the Netherlands!

Markelo, Diepenheim, Goor, Hengevelde, Bentelo and Delden each have their own identity and together they are Hof van Twente. Discover a unique combination of nature, culture and hospitality here in every season. Come to the Hof for an unforgettable experience!

From wick to wheel

There are two historic watermills in Hof van Twente. One spins his paddle wheel in Diepenheim under the name Den Haller (1169). This is the oldest grain mill in Overijssel. Near Delden, the Noordmolen (1347) is located in an idyllic location where linseed oil is extracted from linseed. A few hundred years younger, but just as special, is the historic Houtzaagmolen Twickel (1771). Here you can see how skilled craftsmen used to saw planks from thick oak trees with a steam engine. De Braakmolen was built in 1856 next to the Klompenmuseum (Clog Museum) in Goor. This is an octagonal mill. And if you stop at the Molen van Buursink (1835) in Markelo, don’t leave without a pack of traditional pancake flour. This really makes the tastiest pancakes. The Oelermolen in Oele and the Eschmolen Delden in Delden are also worth a visit.

molenfietsroute.nl - Hof van Twente - VisitTwente

Rich in nature

Nature lovers feel at home in Hof van Twente. From the cultivated park landscape of Twickel in Delden to free nature with heaths and burial mounds on De Borkeld near Markelo: nature in the Hof is special and offers extremes. Go out by (racing) bike or mountain bike, walking, on horseback or by car. The most beautiful routes are waiting for you.

Seven castles full of stories

A fairytale in Twente, all those castles! Near Delden: Twickel castle. In and around Diepenheim: Nijenhuis house, Warmelo castle, house in Diepenheim, Westerflier house, Weldam castle and Wegdam manor. A number of castle gardens are open. You can see all the castles around Diepenheim in one day with the Six Castles Cycle Route. Highly recommended!

Art and culture in abundance

There are few areas in the Netherlands where you will find as much art and culture together as in Hof van Twente. In Diepenheim, for example, you will find the first Dutch Drawing Center and gardens as art, including a tree garden at height! Also stroll through the charming fortified town of Delden full of monuments, the modern art museum No Hero, Salt Museum and Museum Farm Wendezoele!

Always something to do

There is always something to do in Hof van Twente. The extensive agenda with food festivals, markets, walking and cycling tours, exhibitions, lectures and theater performances proves this.Want to know what events there are? Check out the website visithofvantwente.nl.

Tasteful Hof van Twente

From refined chocolate and fatty asparagus to fresh pasta and delicious spelled bread. Or do you enjoy a piece of (Wagyu) meat with a glass of Twente rosé from the Hof? Enjoy your meal all year round at Hof van Twente! Taste many of these delicacies at the Streekmarkt Twente, every first Saturday of the month in Delden. Also visit the truly local shops and join the cozy catering industry for a tasty lunch or dinner with local products and the unique hospitality as an extra ingredient. End the day by staying the night in one of the many accommodations in the Hof.

More about Hof van Twente at visithofvantwente.nl

Would you like to know more about Hof van Twente? Visit visithofvantwente.nl for more information, tips and events. You can also download the most beautiful routes here.

Eschmolen Delden – English

Eschmolen Delden

The summer of 1959 was one of the warmest and driest of the last century. The old Eschmolen, built in 1734, was still at the end of Molenstraat. Due to the advent of electricity, it had been standing still for 45 years and was very neglected. The blades had already blown off as a result of a heavy storm in 1934. Teenage boys from the city regularly climbed in. Most of the reeds had disappeared from the hull, making it easy to climb up the slats. From the hood they had a beautiful view of the Deldeneresch and the horizon.

On July 28 of that year, things went wrong: three boys were smoking in the hood and one of them dropped a burning butt on the bone-dry reeds. This caught fire and smoke was immediately visible on the south side. The mill burned down completely and eventually collapsed.

molenfietsroute.nl - Eschmolen Delden - Delden

Rebuild

The person who lived next to it as a 10-year-old boy and saw it happen, started a lobby for the mill to be rebuilt 50 years later, in 2009. Derk Rouwhorst provided a number of information evenings in ‘t Hoogspel about the history and operation of the Eschmolen. Then the plan for the rebuilding emerged. The “Eschmolen Delden Foundation” was founded with a number of enthusiastic specialists on its board. It soon became clear that many people were supportive of the plan. The foundation now has 500 friends who donate an amount annually. Due to the excellent cooperation with the Twickel Foundation, the Dutch Heidemij, the municipality of Hof van Twente, the province of Overijssel and the Deldense entrepreneurs, the prospects are very positive.

Millers in training

Interest in and belief in the rebuilding of the Eschmolen continues to grow. So much so that three residents of Delden have now registered to take the volunteer miller training course. Board member Ben Uitdewilligen has already started; he is gaining practical experience at the Almelo mill “De Hoop”. Partly due to his enthusiasm, Ron van der Cammen and Bart van de Ven are now also starting the training.

The Guild of Volunteer Millers was founded in 1972. After a two-year training course, candidate millers are tested on their practical experience and theoretical knowledge by the examination committee of the Association De Hollandsche Molen. Volunteer millers are not only of great importance because they keep mills running. They also carry out minor maintenance, receive visitors and tell some things about the technology and history of the mill.

An ornament in the attractive landscape

The new Eschmolen is a fact; a jewel in the attractive landscape of the Deldense Esch and definitely worth a visit. So feel free to cycle by and enjoy a cup of coffee with free stroopwafel.

Address
Molenstraat 80
7491BG Delen
The Netherlands

Website
Eschmolen Delden

De Braakmolen – English

De Braakmolen

In 1856, a mill was built on the Braak, hence the name Braakmolen. This was in fact a relocation of the mill built in 1842 on the road from Goor to Diepenheim (the miller’s house on that road is still a reminder of this). Another mill is being demolished and its hull is used for the construction of the ‘new’ mill. The roof also comes from another demolished mill, namely the mill of Scherpenzeel Castle on the Markeloseweg. However, this hood appears to be slightly too small for the hull, which gives the mill its own character.

Governmentrye

Due to the rise of the steam engine and electrical energy, many mills, including the Braakmolen, came under pressure, which led to the Braakmolen being closed down in 1923. This lasted until 1951 (only for a short time, in 1933, government rye was still milled).

In the meantime, the mill fell into serious disrepair and all other mills in the area had also disappeared in the meantime. With financial support from the government and the province, but also thanks to the contribution from the Community of Goor, the mill was put into use again in 1951. This lasted until 1970, after which the Braakmolen was finally closed down (the two Otte brothers had no successor).

Streamlined Van Bussel

At the end of the seventies, a rescue plan was again drawn up to preserve the mill for future generations, after which De Hollandsche Molen (DHM) took over the Braakmolen in 1981.

A special aspect of the mill is that all blades of the Braakmolen are equipped with the streamlined Van Bussel noses to increase the efficiency of the blades. Two of the blades also have Ten Have valves with which the speed of the blade stroke can be slowed down. The 35 hp electric motor installed in the past enabled the miller to grind grain even when there was no wind.

Grain can still be ground in the mill today and the millers present will be happy to demonstrate this during a visit.

Address
Mulderskamp 2b
7471 PA Goor
The Netherlands

Website
De Braakmolen