The Menkemaborg was originally brick-built castle house built in the 14th century. It was dramatically altered around 1700 but has since been barely changed. The Alberda family, the 18th-century occupants, commissioned artists to decorate the interior with impressive chimney-pieces carved with baroque ornaments, and paintings of mythological scenes. A four-poster bed, draped with yellow silk damask from China, has also been preserved.

The rooms, which comprise reception rooms, the gentlemen's room, a study, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and cellars, are fully furnished with furniture, silverware, china, brassware and portrait paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The gardens were reconstructed after the surviving garden design dating from around 1705, and are marked by a clear layout with symmetrical patterns of clipped box enclosing beds of 18th-century flowering and ornamental plants. A particularly pretty part is the walled pleasure garden in front of the pavilion, with its trellissed arches and arbours. The natural 'sundial garden' is special too. To the east of the mansion is the utility area with a kitchen garden where vegetables and potherbs are grown and an orchard with ancient strains of apple trees and a pear-tree pergola. At the heart of the maze you will eventually find an old plane tree. In summer, the flowering rose tunnel is not to be missed!

The complex of the mansion and gardens, surrounded by their tree-shaded moat, offers a vivid impression of how the Groningen aristocracy lived in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Menkemaborg was owned privately until 1902. The last heirs donated it in 1921 to the Groninger Museum, which restored it in 1927 and opened it to the public. In 1969 the 'Stichting Museum Menkemaborg' was founded that manages the museum and grounds. The largest part of the collection in the Menkemaborg belongs to the Groninger Museum. Most of these came from deconstructed 'borgs', because the province of Groningen once had 200 borgs, and only 16 survive.

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Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Netherlands

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Remita Moshkova (2 years ago)
This place is not a museum. This is the Time Machine which can take you to the 14th century, with a lot of details and an expect atmospher. Perfect place for spend a few hours with walking in a huge garden and discover history.
J J (2 years ago)
Lovely place - free carpark, peaceful gardens with a maze, interesting house - it's quite small as only downstairs open. Stopped at the cafe for apple tart. Definitely worth a visit.
Nabila Adhani (2 years ago)
I was here with my fiance matthijs. Het was so mooi. And we was verdwald in the maze anyway haha. But matthijs can find the way back!
Hayley Flanagan (2 years ago)
Beautiful gardens and a well preserved house with lots of paintings and artefacts from previous tenants. Lovely little cafe too.
Alexander Manchev (2 years ago)
Incredible museum full of well-preserved antiques. You can truly feel how one of the richest families in Netherlands lived in the 18th century. Take at least 2h to walk through each of the rooms and appreciate all the details and craftsmanship on display. There is an audio tour for 2€ (the paper guide is shorter and available for free). A great bonus are the gardens next to the estate - they are being recreated following the original plans. The variety of plants is high. There is also a hedge maze. Benches are available throughout the gardens so that you can sit, rest and appreciate the beauty. Next to the estate, there is a restaurant. We didn't have time to eat at the restaurant, but we did use the washroom inside (free!). The interior of the restaurant is also well decorated. You can buy tickets at the entrance, no big crowds, definite plus for me. Overall, great experience. Would recommend.
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