You probably know the Fraeylemaborg near Slochteren. A centuries-old borg with a unique history. But did you know that behind the borg lies another estate full of stories? Take a walk through this special English landscape garden. Meander along the paths, look out over the long central avenue towards the borg or take a look at one of the buildings in the Slochterbos.
Versailles in Slochteren
When you enter the estate, the characteristic Fraeylemaborg immediately catches your eye. The first parts of this small Groningen castle date back to the 13th century. Later, it was expanded into the borg we know today. The well-to-do nobility that inhabited the manor found just a manor on their land not enough; after all, they had a 31-hectare estate to fill. Therefore, around 1700, a 20-hectare forest was created, using the gardens of the Château de Versailles as a model. That meant mostly straight paths, vistas and statues. The long central avenue of oaks and beeches is still easily recognisable. But less than 100 years later, it was time for a different style. From 1785, the forest was laid out as a romantic park in the English landscape style. Including winding paths, landscaped ponds and even a small mountain.
Forest of history
The park was always very popular among locals and many a weekend day was spent here. In fact, it was so popular that the then lord of the manor decided to charge an entrance fee in the 1970s. This did not last very long, as the local youth knew exactly how to get into the forest via detours. They simply crawled under the fences. Thanks to this popularity, the Slochterbos has many stories as well as many trees. Ghost stories, for instance, from in and around the borg, or the story about the statue of Flora, which is said to be an effigy of the daughter of one of the borghers. She is said to have rejected her true love and then never found love again. The statue looks back sadly, still searching for what she lost.
