We strolled through a castle park to admire some old conifers and pine trees, an area which was called a pinetum, a pinetree-garden.
From the original 160 species planted there between 1932 und 1938, some 60 were recorded still standing. We saw some pretty big and awesome looking trees there, but didn't see any name tags. Later I found out there were some audio tours, this one tells about pinetum.
So, who planted those trees then?
It turns out that the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia from 1888 to 1918, Wilhelm II, planted the trees. During the first World War, which he himself started, at one point he had been advised to flee to the Netherlands, a neutral country during the war. He abdicated the crown(s) and lived the rest of his life in Doorn where he died in 1941. On the grounds, there is a mausoleum where he is burried. And get this, there are also graves of his 5 favourites dogs!
The somewhat controversial legacy of the last German emperor, and not knowing why the hec there is a house museum to commomorate a person who started the first World War, didn't make me want to visit the museum. It did intrigue my interest, though, and I had to read a ton about the history of this place.
So next time in Doorn, I think a visit to the Museum Huis Doorn is due!
