Oosterbeek
Encyclopedia
Oosterbeek is a village in the Dutch
province of Gelderland
. It is located in the municipality of Renkum
, about 5 km west of Arnhem
.
The oldest part of the village of Oosterbeek is the Benedendorp (Lower Village), on the northern bank of the river Rhine. Parts of the church now known as the Hervormde Kerk (Reformed Church) date back to the second half of the 10th century.
In the 19th century several mansions were built on the higher ground to the north of the old village, such as De Hemelse Berg (destroyed in 1944) and Hartenstein. The construction of smaller buildings in the same area eventually led to the Bovendorp (Upper Village).
Today, Oosterbeek is probably best known for being involved in and heavily damaged during the September 1944 Battle of Arnhem
. General Urquhart had his headquarters in the aforementioned Hartenstein, which is now home to the Airborne Museum. To the north of the built-up area lies the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
.
In Oosterbeek is also located the Hotel de Bilderberg where the controversial Bilderberg Group
first met in 1954.The hotel gave its name both to the Group and those who participate in its activities (Bilderbergers).
Oosterbeek was a separate municipality until 1818, when the area was divided between Doorwerth
and Renkum.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
province of Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
. It is located in the municipality of Renkum
Renkum
Renkum is a municipality and a town in the eastern Netherlands.The municipality has 31.801 inhabitants and has a land area of 47,12 km². Renkum is situated along the river Rhine The municipality Renkum is part of the Stadsregio Arnhem-Nijmegen.The surrounding of the municipality are mainly...
, about 5 km west of Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
.
The oldest part of the village of Oosterbeek is the Benedendorp (Lower Village), on the northern bank of the river Rhine. Parts of the church now known as the Hervormde Kerk (Reformed Church) date back to the second half of the 10th century.
In the 19th century several mansions were built on the higher ground to the north of the old village, such as De Hemelse Berg (destroyed in 1944) and Hartenstein. The construction of smaller buildings in the same area eventually led to the Bovendorp (Upper Village).
Today, Oosterbeek is probably best known for being involved in and heavily damaged during the September 1944 Battle of Arnhem
Battle of Arnhem
The Battle of Arnhem was a famous Second World War military engagement fought in and around the Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel and the surrounding countryside from 17–26 September 1944....
. General Urquhart had his headquarters in the aforementioned Hartenstein, which is now home to the Airborne Museum. To the north of the built-up area lies the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
The Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, more commonly known as the Airborne Cemetery, is a military cemetery in Oosterbeek, Arnhem, the Netherlands. It was established in 1945 and is home to 1759 graves from the Second World War...
.
In Oosterbeek is also located the Hotel de Bilderberg where the controversial Bilderberg Group
Bilderberg Group
The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg conference, or Bilderberg Club is an annual, unofficial, invitation-only conference of approximately 120 to 140 guests from North America and Western Europe, most of whom are people of influence. About one-third are from government and politics, and two-thirds from...
first met in 1954.The hotel gave its name both to the Group and those who participate in its activities (Bilderbergers).
Oosterbeek was a separate municipality until 1818, when the area was divided between Doorwerth
Doorwerth
Doorwerth is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located in the municipality of Renkum, about 8 km west of Arnhem.-History:The valley of the Seelbeek has been in residential use since prehistoric times...
and Renkum.
Well-known people
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