Description
Park Sorghvliet is part of the legacy of Jacob Cats (1577-1660). In 1643, the retired statesman and poet ‘Vadertje Cats’ (Father Cats) bought a farm with land of more than 3 hectares on which to establish his own estate. He designed the grounds as a retreat, a park where he could let go of all his cares. Jacob Cats wanted to escape the stress of the city and his busy life, and knew that nature can contribute to peace of mind.
Over the centuries, the grounds were expanded and the gardens were developed into the first park in the Netherlands to offer 25 ha. of green leisure. The park is an extraordinary oasis of peace, full of mysticism and fairy-tale character. The name given by Cats, Sorgh-Vliet (literal translation ‘care flies’), reflects the environment he sought, a place where you ‘zorgen kon laten vliegen’ (be free of all cares).
Ik neme deze plaats tot afkeer van de zorgen,
om bevrijd te zijn, om daar te zijn verborgen.
(I take this place to scorn all cares,
to be liberated, to be hidden there.)
Jacob Cats
The garden is open for members only and surrounds the Catshuis, the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and the reception centre of the government since 1963.
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